pas
/pa/masculine
In French, pas means step.
As a noun, pas refers to a single physical movement of a foot or a single stage in a process. It is important to distinguish this from its use as a particle in the negation structure ne… pas, where it functions to mean "not".
Meaning: step (noun)
Which one should you use?
While pas is used as a noun meaning "step", it also serves as a particle to express negation in phrases such as ne… pas.
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun pas is masculine. The plural form is identical to the singular form, so pas can mean both "step" and "steps".
How do you pronounce it?
/pa/
Did you know?
- The modern use of pas to mean 'not' actually began as a way to say 'not a single step'. This was an emphatic way to say 'not at all' that eventually became the standard way to negate almost any verb.
- In the past, French speakers could use various nouns like goutte (drop) or mie (crumb) to express negation, much like how 'pas' functions today. Only pas survived to become the universal tool for saying 'not' in modern French.
- In the world of ballet, pas is a universal term used regardless of the dancer's native language, such as in the pas de chat or 'step of the cat'.
Examples in context
- Est-ce que tu aimes le film ? Pas vraiment.Do you like the movie? Not really.
- Il n'a même pas appeléHe didn't even call
- un pas en avantA step forward
- Il fait un pas en avant.He takes a step forward.
- Chaque pas est très difficile.Every step is very difficult.
- Elle a fait un petit pas.She took a small step.
Example conversation
Lucas and Manon are walking through a forest.
- ManonAttention, fais attention à chaque pas.Watch out, be careful with every step.
- LucasJe fais attention, Manon.I am being careful, Manon.
- ManonLe chemin est glissant ici.The path is slippery here.
- LucasJe vais marcher plus lentement.I am going to walk more slowly.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “pas” translations and entries pas, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries pas, CC BY-SA 4.0.
