Forgetting someone's name in English
What to say when you forgot someone's name and need to ask again.
Full script
Key phrases
The lines worth keeping. Read them once before you go out.
polite way to ask again
Use past "was" + again: sounds like a brief memory slip
say you are bad at remembering names
be terrible with = very bad at
say you forgot their name too
You both forgot, so it's even
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.