/pase/
Translation
to pass, to go by, to spend (time)
Word origin
From Vulgar Latin passare ('to step, pass'), from Latin passus ('step, pace'). The English 'pass' and 'passage' share this root.
- Origin
- Vulgar Latin
- Root
- passare
- English cognates
- pass, passage, pace
Grammar
Conjugation
Regular -er conjugation. Pronouns: je, tu, il/elle, nous, vous, ils/elles.
Indicative
| Person | Present | Imperfect | Past historic | Future | Conditional |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| je | passe | passais | passai | passerai | passerais |
| tu | passes | passais | passas | passeras | passerais |
| il/elle | passe | passait | passa | passera | passerait |
| nous | passons | passions | passâmes | passerons | passerions |
| vous | passez | passiez | passâtes | passerez | passeriez |
| ils/elles | passent | passaient | passèrent | passeront | passeraient |
Subjunctive
| Person | Present | Imperfect |
|---|---|---|
| je | passe | passasse |
| tu | passes | passasses |
| il/elle | passe | passât |
| nous | passions | passassions |
| vous | passiez | passassiez |
| ils/elles | passent | passassent |
Imperative
| Person | Affirmative |
|---|---|
| tu | passe |
| nous | passons |
| vous | passez |
Non-finite
- Gerund / present participle
- passant
- Past participle
- passé · passée · passés · passées
Examples
.
Time passes very quickly when one is happy and busy.
- .
I'll drop by to see you tomorrow afternoon if you're available.
Bretagne cette .
She spent her holidays in Brittany with her children this year.
- , ' ?
Can you pass me the salt, please?
cette .
We're going to spend Christmas at my parents this year.
est un verbe aux nombreuses constructions. Passer (intransitif) se conjugue avec être : il est passé. Passer + temps/lieu (transitif) prend avoir : j'ai passé une heure. Se passer (to happen, to take place) est très important : qu'est-ce qui se passe ? (what's happening?, what's going on?).
En passant (in passing, by the way) introduit une remarque incidente. Passer pour (to be considered as, to pass as) : il passe pour un expert. Laisser passer (to let through, to overlook) et faire passer (to pass on, to convey) sont des causatifs courants. Passer l'examen (to sit the exam, not necessarily to pass it - réussir means to pass successfully).
Where this fits
Used in
Stories
(12)Pas la même chose
2 min read · Core 1000
Seule dans la nuit
2 min read · Core 1000
Le bus manqué
3 min read · Core 1000
Le dernier train de la nuit
3 min read · Core 1000
Le premier jour de travail
3 min read · Core 1000
Perdu en ville
3 min read · Core 1000
Un après-midi de pluie
3 min read · Core 1000
Un voyage difficile
4 min read · Core 1000
Une rencontre au marché
4 min read · Core 1000
Elle commence à comprendre
5 min read · Core 5000
En rentrant chez elle
5 min read · Core 5000
Une décision a été prise
5 min read · Core 5000
Grammar articles
(6)avoir or être: Choosing the French Auxiliary in the Passé Composé
French Grammar Cheatsheet: The Essentials, One Page
Conjugating French -er Verbs in the Present Tense
French Verb Conjugation: The Complete Rules with Examples
French Intermediate Grammar (B1-B2): The Things That Stop You at the Plateau
French Passé Composé: avoir or être + Past Participle and the MRS VANDERTRAMP Set
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passer: worksheet, infographic and listicle
Free printable study downloads for the French word "passer" (to pass, to go by, to spend (time)): a worksheet with the answer key built in, an infographic, and a sentence listicle. Open any one to view, print or save.
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Start your free weekThis word is part of lesson 4.