What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is a literal translation of "I spend time with friends" using the verb passer (to spend/pass).
Which one should you use?
While je passe du temps avec des amis is a standard way to say you are spending time with friends, other forms change the nuance. For example, je traîne avec des amis uses the verb traîner, which is a more colloquial way to express "hanging out" or "loitering" than the standard "passer du temps". In casual conversation, French speakers often use je vois mes amis to mean hanging out or meeting up with friends.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The phrase Je passe du temps avec mes amis means "I spend time with my friends" and is polite. For more informal settings, you can use Je traîne avec mes potes to say "I hang out with my buddies" or Je me tape des délires avec mes amis to mean "I have fun with my friends".
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Paris, France, Je sors avec mes potes means "I go out with my friends".
How does it change in a sentence?
If you want to specify that you are hanging out with your own friends rather than just "some" friends, replace des with mes to say avec mes amis (with my friends).
Did you know?
- In French, saying je sors avec can mean either 'I am going out with' or 'I am dating'. The context of the conversation determines if the friends are platonic or romantic.
- While je traîne avec des amis is used for hanging out, the verb traîner literally means 'to drag'. Using it implies a lazy or aimless way of spending time.
- The word avec originally came from the Latin words for 'near' and 'this'. It eventually replaced the Latin word cum as the standard way to say 'with' in French.
Examples in context
- Le week-end, je passe du temps avec des amis.On weekends, I hang out with friends.
- Je passe du temps avec des amis au parc.I hang out with friends at the park.
- En général, je passe du temps avec des amis le soir.Generally, I hang out with friends in the evening.
Example conversation
Hugo and Chloé are discussing their plans for Saturday afternoon.
- HugoQu'est-ce que tu fais samedi ?What are you doing on Saturday?
- ChloéJe passe du temps avec des amis.I hang out with friends.
- HugoC'est super, amuse-toi bien avec eux !That's great, have fun with them!
- ChloéMerci, Hugo !Thanks, Hugo!
