Translation
to pass, to go by, to spend (time)
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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 .
She spent her holidays in Brittany with her children this year.
- , ?
Can you pass me the salt, please?
.
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
(27)Juste un dîner
1 min read · Core 1000
Chez le médecin
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Le jardin de l'école
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Le premier jour de Clara
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Le premier jour de travail
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Le secret de Nadia
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Les nouvelles habitudes d'Inès
3 min read · Core 5000
Un après-midi de pluie
3 min read · Core 1000
Un échange en France
3 min read · Core 5000
Un secret lourd à porter
3 min read · Core 5000
Voyage au Maroc, quelle catastrophe !
3 min read · Core 5000
Clara trouve sa place
4 min read · Core 5000
Le mensonge de Théo
4 min read · Core 5000
Adieu, madame Rochat
5 min read · Core 5000
C'est plus logique
5 min read · Core 5000
En rentrant chez elle
5 min read · Core 5000
J'aime bien ranger
5 min read · Core 5000
Je ne conduis pas de train
5 min read · Core 5000
Le couscous de Marco
5 min read · Core 5000
Le parcours était mal fait
5 min read · Core 5000
Paper Walls
5 min read · Core 5000
Pas encore
5 min read · Core 5000
Quand tu auras fini
5 min read · Core 5000
Un trou dans le graphique
5 min read · Core 5000
Elle sera remplacée
5 min read · Core 5000
Une paire par maison
5 min read · Core 5000
Vingt minutes dans le noir
5 min read · Core 5000
Grammar articles
(6)Avoir vs Être in French: The Verbs That Take Être
French Grammar Cheat Sheet: The Essentials on One Page
French -er Verbs Conjugation: Present Tense Chart and Rules
French Conjugation: Tables for Every Tense and Group
Intermediate French Grammar (B1-B2): What Breaks the Plateau
French Imperfect Subjunctive (Subjonctif Imparfait): Recognise It
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French · Free printables
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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 week (no card)This word is taught in chapter 3, lesson 1: -er verbs.