Portuguese Phrase
Esqueci de comprar ovos.
Meaning
Literally, ‘I forgot to buy eggs.’ The speaker is explaining that buying eggs was part of a plan (usually a grocery list) but the action was omitted.
When to use
Use this sentence when you realize after a shopping trip that you didn’t get eggs, or when you’re apologising for not having eggs for a recipe. It’s informal and common in everyday conversation.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Esquecidecomprarovos
Esquecer (pretérito perfeito)
‘Esqueci’ is the first‑person singular of the verb ‘esquecer’ in the simple past (pretérito perfeito), used for actions completed in the past.
Preposition ‘de’ after ‘esquecer’
When ‘esquecer’ is followed by an infinitive verb, the preposition ‘de’ is required: ‘esqueci de comprar…’.
Infinitive ‘comprar’
The verb ‘comprar’ stays in its infinitive form after the preposition ‘de’, indicating the action that was forgotten.
Plural noun ‘ovos’
‘Ovos’ is the masculine plural of ‘ovo’. Remember to match the article or adjective if you add one (e.g., ‘os ovos’).
🗨In Conversation
Você trouxe tudo da lista?
Did you bring everything from the list?
Esqueci de comprar ovos.
I forgot to buy eggs.
✕Common Mistakes
Esqueci comprar ovos.
The preposition ‘de’ is mandatory after ‘esquecer’ when followed by an infinitive.
Esqueci de comprar o ovo.
‘Ovo’ is singular; the sentence talks about buying eggs in general, so use the plural ‘ovos’ unless you really mean one egg.
Esquecí de comprar ovos.
Avoid accent marks on ‘esqueci’; the correct spelling is without an accent.
↔Alternatives
Não comprei ovos.
I didn’t buy eggs.
Deixei de comprar ovos.
I left out buying eggs.
Esqueci de pegar ovos.
I forgot to get eggs.
Cultural Tip
Eggs (ovos) are a breakfast staple in Brazil, used in dishes like ‘ovo mexido’ (scrambled eggs) and ‘tapioca com ovo’. Forgetting them can be a minor inconvenience, but it’s a perfect excuse to ask a neighbor for a few. The phrase is informal; in a more formal setting you might say ‘Não consegui comprar ovos.’