Learn Hardcore Korean: yaksogeul jakku ijeobeoryeoyo.

Breakdown of yaksogeul jakku ijeobeoryeoyo.

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What exactly does the adverb 자꾸 mean? How is it different from 자주, 계속, and 항상/늘?

자꾸: repeatedly, over and over, often with a nuance of annoyance or something unwanted. Works great with point-in-time verbs like 잊어버리다. Example: 자꾸 잊어버려요 (I keep forgetting, and it’s a problem).
자주: often/frequently, neutral tone. Example: 약속을 자주 잊어요 (I often forget my appointments).
계속: continuously/without stopping; best with ongoing actions, not instantaneous ones. Example: 계속 기다려요 (I keep waiting). Using 계속 잊어요 is odd because forgetting isn’t continuous; it happens at a moment.
항상/늘: always/consistently. Stronger than 자주. Example: 항상 잊어버려요 (I always forget), which sounds extreme.

What’s the difference between 잊다 and 잊어버리다?

잊다: to forget (neutral).
잊어버리다: to forget completely or end up forgetting, often with a sense of regret, frustration, or finality. The -어 버리다 part adds a “completed and done with” feel (sometimes relief in other contexts).
Compare:
- 이름을 잊었어요 = I forgot the name. (plain statement)
- 이름을 잊어버렸어요 = I ended up forgetting the name (ugh/annoyed).

What does the particle 을 do in 약속을? Could I use 는/은 instead, or drop it?

을/를 marks the direct object. 약속 ends with a consonant, so it takes 을: 약속을.
You can make 약속 the topic with 은/는 for contrast/emphasis: 약속은 자꾸 잊어버려요 (As for promises, I keep forgetting them).
In casual speech, object particles are sometimes dropped: 약속 자꾸 잊어버려요. It’s understood, but keeping 을/를 is safer and clearer, especially for learners.

Why is the present tense used? Doesn’t 잊어버려요 mean “am forgetting” right now?

Korean present tense often expresses general or habitual actions. 자꾸 잊어버려요 means you have a recurring habit of forgetting.
For a one-time, completed forgetting, use past: 잊어버렸어요 (I forgot).

Where should I put 자꾸? Can the word order change?

Adverbs like 자꾸 usually go before the verb phrase, but there’s flexibility:
- 약속을 자꾸 잊어버려요 (very common)
- 자꾸 약속을 잊어버려요 (also natural)
Don’t put 자꾸 after the verb; it should precede it.

Is 잊어버려요 one word or two? What’s the spacing rule?

It’s from 잊다 + -어 버리다 + -어요.
With the auxiliary -어/아 버리다, both spellings are acceptable: 잊어 버려요 (spacing) and 잊어버려요 (no space). Many people write it attached in everyday text. Style guides often prefer spacing for auxiliaries, but both are widely used and understood.

Does 버리다 here mean “to throw away”?

Not in this sentence. As an auxiliary (-어/아 버리다), 버리다 adds a “completed, done with” nuance, often with emotion (regret/relief).
As a main verb, 버리다 means “to throw away”: 쓰레기를 버렸어요 (I threw away the trash).

How do you pronounce 잊어버려요 and 잊다 naturally?

잊어버려요 is pronounced roughly like [이저버려요] (ijeo-beo-rye-yo). The final ㅈ in 잊- links to the following vowel, sounding like “저.”
잊다 is pronounced [읻따] (it-tta) because the following ㄷ sound gets tensed.
In the whole sentence, 약속을 자꾸 잊어버려요 sounds like [약쏘글 자꾸 이저버려요].

Can I use 계속 instead of 자꾸 here?

Generally no. 계속 means “continuously,” which doesn’t fit a momentary action like forgetting. Use 자꾸 (repeated occurrences) or 자주 (often) instead:
- More natural: 약속을 자꾸/자주 잊어버려요.
- 계속 잊어버려요 sounds odd to natives.

How do I say “I forgot my appointment again”?

Use 또 for “again” (another occurrence): 또 약속을 잊어버렸어요 or 약속을 또 잊어버렸어요.
자꾸 describes a repeated pattern over time; 또 points to a specific repeat right now. You can use both if you want to stress both ideas in context, but usually one is enough.

Are there casual or idiomatic alternatives to say the same thing?

What’s the difference between 약속 and 예약?

약속: a promise/arrangement with someone (social or personal). Collocations: 약속을 하다/지키다/어기다/잊다.
예약: a booking/reservation (restaurant, hotel, hospital, etc.). Collocations: 예약하다/취소하다/변경하다/잊다.
You’d say 약속을 잊어버렸어요 when you forget a plan with a person; 예약을 잊어버렸어요 when you forget your booking.

What politeness level is 잊어버려요, and how else can I say it?

Is there a way to express this as a tendency, like “I tend to forget”?

Yes, use -곤 하다 for habitual tendency: 약속을 자꾸 잊어버리곤 해요 (I tend to keep forgetting).
Another common pattern: 약속을 잘 잊어버려요 (“I easily/often forget promises,” with 잘 meaning “easily/apt to” here).

Can I say 잊고 있어요 to mean “I am forgetting”?

Not for the meaning you want. Forgetting is instantaneous, so progressive is odd.
Use:
- Habit: 자꾸 잊어버려요 (I keep forgetting).
- Completed event: 잊어버렸어요 (I forgot).
- If you had forgotten until now: 잊고 있었어요 (I had been forgetting/it had slipped my mind until now).

What nuance does 자꾸만 add compared to 자꾸?

자꾸만 intensifies the frustration/complaint: 약속을 자꾸만 잊어버려요 feels more exasperated than 자꾸. It’s like saying “I just keep on forgetting, ugh.”