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Friends & datingIntermediate

Forgetting someone's name in English

What to say when you forgot someone's name and need to ask again.

Full script

Lin
Hey, you! Sorry, what was your name again?
Them
It's Kate. We met at the party last week!
Lin
Right, Kate! I'm terrible with names.
Them
No worries. I forgot yours too.
Lin
Ha! It's Lin. Nice to meet you, again.
Them
Let's save each other's numbers this time.
Lin
Good idea. I'll put 'Kate from the party.'
Them
Then you're 'Lin with the bubble tea.'

Key phrases

The lines worth keeping. Read them once before you go out.

not awkward
✓ What was your name again?

polite way to ask again

Use past "was" + again: sounds like a brief memory slip

joke about yourself first
✓ I'm terrible with names.

say you are bad at remembering names

be terrible with = very bad at

ease the moment
✓ I forgot yours too.

say you forgot their name too

You both forgot, so it's even

worth saving
✓ Nice to meet you, again.

friendly reset

Add "again" to make it funny, not awkward

Quick answers

not awkward: what to say in English

Say “What was your name again?” — polite way to ask again. Use past "was" + again: sounds like a brief memory slip.

joke about yourself first: what to say in English

Say “I'm terrible with names.” — say you are bad at remembering names. be terrible with = very bad at.

ease the moment: what to say in English

Say “I forgot yours too.” — say you forgot their name too. You both forgot, so it's even.

worth saving: what to say in English

Say “Nice to meet you, again.” — friendly reset. Add "again" to make it funny, not awkward.

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