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基本を忘れる
kihon o wasureru
forget the basics
大事なプロジェクトなのに、基本を忘れてしまった。
Even though it's an important project, I forgot the basics.
informal
To neglect or ignore fundamental principles or skills, often leading to mistakes or failure.
彼は技術は優秀だけど、基本を忘れている。
He's excellent technically, but he forgets the basics.
基本を忘れてしまった結果、ミスが多発した。
As a result of forgetting the basics, many mistakes occurred.
Often used to criticize someone for prioritizing advanced skills over foundational knowledge.
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
When to use this phrase
Use 基本を忘れる when someone prioritizes flashy or advanced skills over solid fundamentals. It’s often a gentle (or not-so-gentle) reminder to refocus on what matters. Example: After a project fails, saying 「基本を忘れていたからだ」 (It’s because we forgot the basics) is a common way to explain the failure without blaming individuals directly.
Gold Rule
Avoiding 基本を忘れる
To prevent this, always allocate time to review and reinforce foundational knowledge. In learning or work, balance advanced topics with regular practice of core skills.
Word Origin
The phrase combines 基本 (kihon, 'foundation' or 'basics') and 忘れる (wasureru, 'to forget'). 基本 originates from Chinese (基本, jīběn), while 忘れる is native Japanese. The phrase emerged in modern Japanese as a critique of over-reliance on advanced techniques without solid grounding.
Usage Notes
Commonly used in professional, educational, and personal contexts to emphasize the importance of foundational knowledge. Often appears in advice or criticism about skill development.
Word Breakdown
基本
foundation / basics
nounを
object marker (indicates what is being forgotten)
particle忘れる
to forget
verb和英辞典