passer
/pa.se/
The French verb for 'to pass' is passer.
passer is used to describe the act of moving or being moved from one place to another. You can use it when asking someone to hand you a physical object using the structure passer [object] à [person], such as Passe-moi le sel (Pass me the salt). It is also used in the phrase passer du temps to mean 'to spend time'.
Meaning: to move or be moved from one place to another (verb)
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
In the context of examinations, passer means 'to take' an exam, not necessarily to succeed in it. To say you successfully passed an exam, you should use the verb réussir instead.
How do you pronounce it?
/pa.se/
What mistakes should you avoid?
Do not use a direct translation of 'pass' to say you succeeded in an exam. Instead, use j'ai réussi l'examen. Additionally, do not use dépenser du temps to mean 'to spend time', as dépenser refers specifically to spending money. Use passer du temps instead.
Did you know?
- The phrase passer l'éponge literally means 'to pass the sponge' but is used as an idiom meaning 'to forgive and forget' or to wipe the slate clean.
- The word passe-partout uses the verb passer to describe a master key that opens any door, and it is also the French name for the character known in English as '🗝️ Passepartout' from Jules Verne's Around the World in Eighty Days.
- The verb passer is used in the idiom passer pour, which means to be perceived as or to look like something, such as passer pour un idiot meaning 'to be taken for a fool'.
Examples in context
- Je ne passerai pas.I won't pass.This sentence uses passer to express a refusal to pass.Tatoeba #9129418 by Julien_PDC, translation #8398004 by CK
- Vous ne passerez pas.You shall not pass.Tatoeba #1111996 by sacredceltic, translation #1110510 by Scott
- Peux-tu me passer ce truc ?Can you pass me that thingamajig?This sentence uses passer to ask someone to hand an object to you.Tatoeba #1044080 by sacredceltic, translation #1043810 by sundown
- Je vais passer par le parcI'm going to pass through the park
- Pouvez-vous me passer le sel, s'il vous plaît?Can you pass me the salt, please?
- Je dois traverser la rue pour arriver à l'écoleI have to cross the street to get to school
- Attention, je vais te dépasserWatch out, I'm going to pass you
- Le joueur parvient à dépasser la défenseThe player manages to pass the defense
- Il est passé ici il y a cinq minutesHe passed by here five minutes ago
- Pour passer le temps, j'ai décidé de lire un livreTo pass the time, I decided to read a book
- 103 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Chloé and Gabriel are cleaning up the living room.
- ChloéPeux-tu me passer le balai ?Can you pass me the broom?
- GabrielTiens, le voilà pour passer le sol.Here, here it is to sweep the floor.
- ChloéMerci, je vais passer l'aspirateur après.Thanks, I am going to vacuum after.
- GabrielD'accord, je vais passer la serpillière.Okay, I am going to mop the floor.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “pass” translations and entries passer, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
