German Phrase
Vergiss die Anlage nicht.
Meaning
The sentence is a reminder not to leave something called ‘die Anlage’ behind. ‘Anlage’ can refer to a piece of equipment, a facility, a system or even a financial investment, depending on the context.
When to use
Use this phrase when you want to remind a friend, colleague or family member to take a specific item or to keep a particular system in mind – for example, before a hike, a lab experiment, or a business meeting.
✦Grammar Breakdown
VergissdieAnlagenicht.
Imperative of vergessen
‘Vergiss’ is the du‑imperative of the verb ‘vergessen’ (to forget). For the formal ‘Sie’ form, use ‘Vergessen Sie … nicht.’
Accusative article ‘die’
‘Anlage’ is a feminine noun, so the definite article in the accusative case is ‘die’.
Negation with ‘nicht’
When ‘nicht’ negates the whole clause, it follows the direct object: ‘Vergiss die Anlage nicht.’
Word order
In a simple imperative sentence the order is Verb – Object – Negation. Placing ‘nicht’ before the object (‘Nicht die Anlage vergessen’) sounds archaic.
🗨In Conversation
Vergiss die Anlage nicht, sonst können wir das Experiment nicht starten.
Don't forget the equipment, otherwise we can't start the experiment.
Keine Sorge, ich habe sie schon im Auto.
Don't worry, I already have it in the car.
✕Common Mistakes
Nicht die Anlage vergessen.
Placing ‘nicht’ before the object sounds old‑fashioned; the natural order is Verb – Object – ‘nicht’.
Vergessen Sie die Anlage nicht.
When using the formal ‘Sie’, the verb stays in infinitive form: ‘Vergessen Sie … nicht.’
Vergiss der Anlage nicht.
‘Anlage’ is feminine; the accusative article is ‘die’, not ‘der’. Using ‘der’ would be a case error.
↔Alternatives
Denk an die Anlage.
Think about the equipment.
Bitte die Anlage nicht vergessen.
Please don't forget the equipment.
Vergessen Sie die Anlage nicht.
Don't forget the equipment. (formal)
Cultural Tip
In German, the informal du‑imperative (‘Vergiss …’) is common among friends and peers. In professional or formal settings switch to the Sie‑imperative: ‘Vergessen Sie die Anlage nicht.’ Also, remember that ‘Anlage’ can have many meanings, so make sure the listener knows which one you refer to.