Saying “Let’s pretend that didn’t happen” in Spanish

Introduction

Ever experienced an awkward moment you wish you could erase from everyone’s memory? Spanish speakers have several colorful ways to express the sentiment of pretending something never happened. Understanding these phrases will help you navigate social situations with grace and add authenticity to your conversational Spanish skills.

The Most Common Expression: Hagamos de cuenta que no pasó nada

The most straightforward way to say let’s pretend that didn’t happen in Spanish is hagamos de cuenta que no pasó nada. This phrase literally translates to let’s make believe that nothing happened and is widely understood throughout the Spanish-speaking world.

The verb hagamos comes from hacer, meaning to make or to do, in the first-person plural subjunctive form. The phrase de cuenta means into account or as if, while que no pasó nada means that nothing happened. Together, these elements create a polite suggestion to collectively ignore what just occurred.

Example:
After spilling coffee on the table: Hagamos de cuenta que no pasó nada y sigamos con la reunión.
Let’s pretend that didn’t happen and continue with the meeting.

Regional Variations and Alternative Expressions

Fingir que no pasó

A more direct approach uses the verb fingir, which means to pretend or to fake. The phrase finjamos que no pasó is more concise and slightly more informal than hagamos de cuenta.

Example:
Finjamos que no pasó y empecemos de nuevo.
Let’s pretend that didn’t happen and start over.

Hacer como que no pasó nada

Another common variation is hacer como que no pasó nada, which translates to act as if nothing happened. This expression emphasizes the action of pretending rather than the collective agreement to forget.

Example:
Mejor vamos a hacer como que no pasó nada.
We’d better act as if nothing happened.

Borrón y cuenta nueva

While not a direct translation, the idiom borrón y cuenta nueva captures a similar sentiment. It literally means eraser and new account, similar to the English expression let’s wipe the slate clean. This phrase is perfect for situations where you want to move past an incident and start fresh.

Example:
Olvidemos esta discusión. Borrón y cuenta nueva.
Let’s forget this argument. Clean slate.

Understanding the Grammar Behind These Phrases

The Subjunctive Mood

Many of these expressions use the subjunctive mood, which Spanish employs to express wishes, suggestions, and hypothetical situations. When you say hagamos or finjamos, you’re using the present subjunctive to suggest a collective action.

The subjunctive signals that you’re not stating a fact but rather proposing an idea or expressing a desire. This grammatical nuance makes these phrases sound polite and collaborative rather than commanding.

Formal vs. Informal Contexts

The formality of your expression matters in Spanish. For professional or formal situations, hagamos de cuenta que no pasó nada works best due to its diplomatic tone. In casual conversations with friends, shorter versions like finjamos que no pasó or even just no pasó nada (nothing happened) suffice.

Cultural Context: When Spanish Speakers Use These Phrases

Understanding when to deploy these expressions requires cultural awareness. Spanish-speaking cultures often value harmony and saving face, making these phrases useful social tools.

Social Embarrassment

If someone makes a minor social faux pas during a gathering, a host might say hagamos de cuenta que no pasó nada to ease the tension and help everyone move forward comfortably. This demonstrates kindness and social grace.

Professional Settings

In workplace situations where a minor mistake occurs during a presentation or meeting, using hagamos de cuenta que no pasó nada can help maintain professionalism while acknowledging that errors happen.

Between Friends

Among close friends, these phrases often carry a playful or sarcastic tone. After an embarrassing story gets told, someone might jokingly say finjamos que nunca escuché eso (let’s pretend I never heard that).

Expanding Your Vocabulary: Related Expressions

Olvidemos esto

The simple phrase olvidemos esto means let’s forget this. While more direct than pretending something didn’t happen, it serves a similar purpose in conversation.

Example:
Fue una mala idea. Olvidemos esto.
That was a bad idea. Let’s forget this.

No hablemos más de eso

No hablemos más de eso translates to let’s not talk about that anymore. This phrase redirects conversation away from an uncomfortable topic without explicitly denying its occurrence.

Example:
No hablemos más de eso y disfrutemos la tarde.
Let’s not talk about that anymore and enjoy the afternoon.

Demos vuelta a la página

Literally meaning let’s turn the page, demos vuelta a la página is the Spanish equivalent of turning over a new leaf. It suggests moving forward from a situation rather than dwelling on it.

Example:
Ya pasó. Demos vuelta a la página.
It’s over. Let’s turn the page.

Country-Specific Variations

Mexico

In Mexico, you might hear hagamos como que aquí no pasó nada, which adds aquí (here) for emphasis. Mexicans also frequently use borrón y cuenta nueva in both formal and informal contexts.

Argentina

Argentinians might say hacemos de cuenta que no pasó, using the present indicative rather than subjunctive for a more casual feel. They also use borremos todo (let’s erase everything) in informal situations.

Spain

In Spain, hagamos como si no hubiera pasado nada is common, using the past subjunctive hubiera for a slightly different grammatical construction that means the same thing.

Practical Tips for Using These Phrases

Match the Tone to the Situation

Pay attention to how serious the situation is. For genuine mistakes that might have hurt someone’s feelings, a sincere olvidemos esto works better than a casual no pasó nada. Read the room and adjust your language accordingly.

Body Language Matters

When saying these phrases, your nonverbal communication should match your words. A reassuring smile and open gesture while saying hagamos de cuenta que no pasó nada reinforces your message of moving forward without judgment.

Don’t Overuse These Expressions

While helpful for smoothing over awkward moments, constantly suggesting that everyone pretend things didn’t happen can seem dismissive. Use these phrases judiciously when the situation genuinely calls for tactful forgetting rather than addressing an issue directly.

Practice Exercises to Master These Phrases

To internalize these expressions, try creating your own example sentences. Think of recent situations where you wished you could rewind time, then formulate how you’d express that desire in Spanish.

Practice scenario one: You accidentally interrupted someone during an important conversation.
Your response: Perdón por interrumpir. Hagamos de cuenta que no pasó nada.

Practice scenario two: A friend shared an embarrassing childhood story about you at a party.
Your response: Por favor, finjamos que nunca contaste esa historia.

Practice scenario three: You and a colleague had a disagreement but want to maintain a good working relationship.
Your response: Borrón y cuenta nueva. Sigamos trabajando juntos.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Learners sometimes confuse fingir (to pretend) with imaginar (to imagine). While both involve thinking about things that aren’t real, fingir specifically means pretending or acting as if something is true, making it the correct choice for these expressions.

Another common error is using the wrong verb tense. Remember that hagamos and finjamos are subjunctive forms suggesting collaborative action. Saying hacemos de cuenta (indicative) changes the meaning to we pretend rather than let’s pretend.

Avoid literal translations from English. Phrases like let’s act like that never happened don’t translate word-for-word effectively. Stick to the natural Spanish expressions native speakers actually use.

Conclusion

Mastering how to say let’s pretend that didn’t happen in Spanish opens doors to more nuanced, natural conversations. Whether you choose hagamos de cuenta que no pasó nada, finjamos que no pasó, or borrón y cuenta nueva, you’ll be equipped to handle awkward moments with grace and cultural awareness across the Spanish-speaking world.