oblivion
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oblivion
The state in which something or someone has been completely forgotten and is no longer present in people's memory or in public awareness. The word is used almost exclusively in fixed phrases such as 'in Vergessenheit geraten' (to fall into oblivion).
Viele alte Handwerkskünste sind über die Jahrzehnte in Vergessenheit geraten.
Many old crafts have fallen into oblivion over the decades.
The noun 'Vergessenheit' (oblivion) is derived directly from the verb 'vergessen' (to forget). The ending '-heit' forms an abstract noun that describes the state of being forgotten.
Dank des Internets werden viele Informationen vor der Vergessenheit bewahrt.
Thanks to the internet, a lot of information is saved from oblivion.
This word is used almost only in fixed expressions. The most common one is 'in Vergessenheit geraten' (to fall into oblivion), which means that something is slowly forgotten. The opposite is 'etwas aus der Vergessenheit holen' (to bring something back from oblivion).
Viele alte Traditionen sind leider in Vergessenheit geraten.
Many old traditions have unfortunately fallen into oblivion.
In the phrase 'in Vergessenheit geraten' (to fall into oblivion), 'in' is used with the accusative. The verb 'geraten' (to get into / to fall into) describes a movement into a new state here.
Sein Name ist nach seinem Tod schnell in Vergessenheit geraten.
After his death, his name quickly fell into oblivion.
to forget
Vergessen refers here to the process: people no longer remember a tradition. Vergessenheit, by contrast, refers to the resulting state and is usually used in the expression „in Vergessenheit geraten“ (to fall into oblivion).
Mit der Zeit geriet die alte Tradition bei vielen Menschen in Vergessenheit.
Over time, the old tradition fell into oblivion for many people.
Mit der Zeit vergaßen viele Menschen die alte Tradition.
Over time, many people forgot the old tradition.
