no pasar
/no pasaɾ/from spelling rules
The Spanish phrase for "do not enter" is no pasar.
no pasar is used as a road sign. Other ways to communicate this include the formal No Entrar and the formal Prohibido el Paso, which specifically indicates that passage is forbidden.
Meaning: road sign (phrase)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the negation no and the infinitive verb pasar, literally meaning not to pass.
Which one should you use?
While no pasar is common on signs, prohibido el paso serves as a more formal alternative that translates to "entry prohibited".
How do you pronounce it?
/no pasaɾ/
Did you know?
- While no pasar is a strict command on a sign, the phrase no pasa nada is a ubiquitous idiom used to tell someone 'it is no big deal' or 'don't worry about it'.
- In some Spanish-speaking cultures, a written no pasar sign may be considered secondary to a personal invitation or a verbal 'please' from a host.
- The verb pasar in the phrase no pasar is a linguistic relative of the English word 'pass', both descending from the Latin 'passus', which means a 'step'.
Examples in context
- El cartel dice no pasar.The sign says do not enter.
- Hay un aviso de no pasar en la puerta.There is a do not enter notice on the door.
- No pasar, es una zona privada.Do not enter, it is a private area.
Example conversation
Sofía and Mateo are walking in a park and see a blocked path.
- Sofía¿Podemos ir por este camino?Can we go through this path?
- MateoNo, mira el letrero de no pasar.No, look at the do not enter sign.
- SofíaTienes razón, Mateo.You are right, Mateo.
- MateoBusquemos otra ruta.Let's look for another route.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries no, pasar, CC BY-SA 4.0.
