Translation guide
A temporary failure to remember something, often used in phrases like 'a lapse of memory' or 'I had a lapse of memory.' In Japanese, this is expressed through nouns describing forgetfulness, verbs for forgetting, or set phrases for memory slips.
Describing a brief, unintentional failure to recall something, often in formal or explanatory contexts.
Literally 'memory loss,' this is the most direct equivalent for a lapse of memory, often used in medical or serious contexts, but also for temporary lapses.
He suffered a temporary lapse of memory.
A common, casual term for a momentary lapse of memory, like a 'brain fart.' Used when you suddenly can't recall a word or name.
Oh, I just had a lapse of memory.
I had a lapse of memory about his name.
Refers to forgetfulness in general, often associated with aging or absent-mindedness. Can be used for a lapse of memory.
I've been having a lot of memory lapses lately.
Literally 'memory flies away,' used when a memory suddenly disappears, often due to shock, alcohol, or a mental block.
I was so nervous I had a lapse of memory.
Apologizing or explaining a momentary forgetfulness in daily interactions.
Means 'to carelessly forget.' Often used to describe a lapse of memory due to inattention.
I had a lapse of memory and forgot.
Implies forgetting unintentionally or out of habit. Similar to 'it slipped my mind.'
It just slipped my mind.
A 'memory mistake,' used when you recall something incorrectly, which can be a type of lapse.
That was a lapse of memory on my part.
ど忘れ is for a sudden, temporary inability to recall something specific (like a word on the tip of your tongue), while 物忘れ refers to a general tendency to forget things, often associated with aging or chronic absent-mindedness.
The phrase 'lapse of memory' does not have a single fixed Japanese equivalent. Translating it word-for-word as '記憶の経過' or similar would be unnatural. Use the options above based on context.
I had a sudden lapse of memory during the exam.
Due to a lapse of memory, I forgot my appointment.