pasar el rato
/pasaɾ el ɾato/from spelling rules
The English phrase "hanging out" can be translated into Spanish as pasar el rato.
Pasar el rato is used to describe spending time in a relaxed way with friends or family. It implies a relaxed, aimless activity.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase pasar el rato literally means "to pass the time".
Which one should you use?
While pasar el rato implies a relaxed and aimless activity, the phrase pasar el tiempo is more general and can refer to the mere passage of time or spending time on a specific task. Additionally, pasando el rato is the gerund form used to express the continuous action of "hanging out".
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, the verb quedar is used to mean "to meet up" or "to hang out".
How does it change in a sentence?
To express the continuous action of "hanging out", use the gerund form pasando el rato.
How do you pronounce it?
/pasaɾ el ɾato/
Did you know?
- The word rato comes from the Latin raptus, which means 'seized' or 'snatched'. This suggests that the 'moment' of time is something snatched away from a busier schedule.
- In many parts of Latin America, you might hear people use the word parchar to mean 'hanging out', a slang term that has nothing to do with the English word 'patch'.
- In various Latin American countries, the phrase pasar el rato can occasionally imply a casual, non-committal romantic encounter rather than just friendship.
Examples in context
- Me gusta pasar el rato por aquí.I like hanging out here.This sentence is useful for expressing a preference for the location where one likes hanging out using pasar el rato.Tatoeba #12855825 by mexicanhere, translation #2377448 by CK
- Me encantaría compartir un rato contigo después del trabajo.I'd love to hang out with you after work.
- ¿Quieres salir hoy?Do you want to hang out today?
- ¿Qué tal si pasamos el rato en el parque?How about we hang out at the park?
- ¿Quedamos hoy?Shall we meet up today?
- Voy a quedar con mis amigos.I'm going to hang out with my friends.
- ¿Nos juntamos después de clases?Shall we hang out after class?
- Vamos a juntarnos en el café.Let's get together at the café.
- Solo queremos pasar el rato en el parque.We just want to hang out in the park.
- A veces es divertido pasar el rato sin hacer nada.Sometimes it's fun to hang out doing nothing.
Example conversation
Daniel and Lucía are deciding what to do on a Saturday afternoon.
- Daniel¿Qué quieres hacer hoy, Lucía?What do you want to do today, Lucía?
- LucíaNo tengo planes, solo quiero pasar el rato.I don't have plans, I just want to hang out.
- DanielPerfecto, podemos pasar el rato en tu casa.Perfect, we can hang out at your house.
- LucíaMe parece una idea estupenda, Daniel.That sounds like a great idea, Daniel.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry pasar el rato, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries el, pasar, rato, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
