French Phrase
N'oublie pas le lait.
Meaning
A friendly reminder meaning “Don’t forget the milk.” It’s used when you want someone to remember to bring or buy milk, often in informal conversation.
When to use
Use this phrase with people you address informally (friends, family, close colleagues) when you’re reminding them to take the milk with them or to buy it on a trip to the store.
✦Grammar Breakdown
N'oubliepaslelait.
Elision (N')
The particle "ne" contracts to "n'" before a vowel or mute h, as in "N'oublie".
Imperative of "oublier"
"oublie" is the second‑person singular (tu) imperative form of the verb "oublier".
Negative particle "pas"
In the negative imperative, "pas" follows the verb: "N'oublie pas".
Definite article "le"
"le" is the masculine singular definite article that introduces the noun "lait".
Noun "lait"
"lait" means "milk"; it is masculine singular.
🗨In Conversation
Tu vas au supermarché cet après‑midi ?
Are you going to the supermarket this afternoon?
Oui, j’y vais. N'oublie pas le lait.
Yes, I’m going. Don’t forget the milk.
✕Common Mistakes
Ne oublie pas le lait.
The "e" of "ne" must elide before the vowel, becoming "N'".
N'oublies pas le lait.
The imperative for "tu" drops the final -s; use "oublie" not "oublies".
N'oublie le lait.
Leaving out "pas" makes the sentence affirmative: "N'oublie le lait" (which is ungrammatical).
↔Alternatives
Ne laisse pas le lait de côté.
Don’t leave the milk aside.
Rappelle‑toi d'acheter le lait.
Remember to buy the milk.
Pense à prendre le lait.
Think about taking the milk.
Cultural Tip
In spoken French the "ne" of the negative imperative is often dropped, so you’ll hear "Oublie pas le lait!" in casual conversation. However, in written French and in more formal contexts, keep the full "N'oublie pas…". Also, the phrase works for any item, not just milk, by swapping the noun (e.g., "N'oublie pas les clés").