passar
/paˈsa(ʁ)/
To pass in Portuguese is passar.
The verb passar is used to describe moving or being moved from one place to another. It is also the standard verb used for 'passing by' a person or a location. Additionally, you can use passar to express the passage of time, such as in the phrase passar o tempo (to pass the time).
Meaning: to move or be moved from one place to another (verb)
Which one should you use?
While passar is the general term for moving from one place to another or passing by, the related noun passe refers to a document that grants permission to pass or to go and come. The noun passagem refers to an opening, road or track available for passing, such as a mountain pass or a passage.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The third-person singular preterite (past tense) of passar is passou (passed), and the third-person plural future tense is passarão (will pass).
How do you pronounce it?
/paˈsa(ʁ)/
Did you know?
- In a spiritual context, a passe is a form of energy healing through the imposition of hands, popularized by Spiritism in Brazil.
- In Brazil, if you say you are 'passando mal', you are not describing a bad movement, but rather that you are feeling physically ill or nauseated.
- To 'iron' clothes in Portuguese is passar a ferro, which literally translates to 'passing the iron'.
Examples in context
- Espero passar na prova.I hope that I pass the exam.This sentence is useful for using passar in the context of an exam.Tatoeba #6970259 by Ricardo14, translation #6110331 by CK
- Podemos passar sem ela.We can pass without her.This sentence shows how to use passar to describe moving without someone.Tatoeba #12009703 by Advanced, translation #8863625 by moxy
- Poderia me passar o sal?Could you pass me the salt?This sentence demonstrates using passar to request an object.Tatoeba #8505457 by Ricardo14, translation #1480956 by pigeonenglish
- Eu vou passar o livro para você.I will pass the book to you.
- Ele passou no exame.He passed the exam.
- Passamos por ela na rua.We passed by her on the street.
- Ele conseguiu transpor todas as dificuldades.He managed to overcome all the difficulties.
- Vou passar por sua casa mais tarde.I will stop by your house later.
- Ela passou por cima de todas as críticas.She ignored all the criticisms.
- O carro ultrapassou o ônibus.The car overtook the bus.
- 125 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Gabriel and Juliana are in a crowded hallway.
- GabrielCom licença, posso passar?Excuse me, can I pass?
- JulianaSim, deixe-me sair da frente.Yes, let me get out of the way.
- GabrielObrigado, Juliana.Thank you, Juliana.
- JulianaDe nada, Gabriel.You're welcome, Gabriel.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “pass” translations and entries passar, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
