Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA |
|---|---|
| pasar tiempo | /pasaɾ tjempo/ (from spelling rules) |
| pasar el tiempo | /pasaɾ el tjempo/ (from spelling rules) |
Pasar tiempo is a common way to say 'spend time' in Spanish. If you want to express that you are dedicating or allocating time to someone or something, you can use dedicar tiempo. If you want to imply that the time is an investment for a particular purpose, use invertir tiempo.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase pasar tiempo is a literal translation of 'to pass time', where the verb pasar literally means 'to pass'.
Which one should you use?
While pasar tiempo is used for the general concept of spending time, pasar el tiempo often implies passing the time to avoid boredom or to kill time.
What mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid using gastar tiempo to mean dedicating time to an activity. While gastar means 'to spend' when talking about money, gastar tiempo implies wasting time.
Did you know?
- The word tiempo is used for both 'time' and 'weather'. You can use the same word to say you are spending time or that the weather is nice.
- In some Spanish-speaking cultures, asking to pasar tiempo with someone can be an indirect way of expressing romantic interest, depending on the context and intimacy.
- The word tiempo shares the same ancient root as 'temperature' and 'tempo'. All three come from a root meaning 'to stretch'.
Examples in context
- Quiero pasar tiempo contigo.I want to spend time with you.This sentence shows how to use pasar tiempo to express wanting to be with someone.Tatoeba #1371987 by marcelostockle, translation #2033475 by CK
- Tom quiere pasar tiempo conmigo.Tom wants to spend time with me.This sentence uses pasar tiempo to show someone's desire to be with another person.Tatoeba #2015420 by marcelostockle, translation #2014758 by CK
- Quiere pasar tiempo con su hija.He wants to spend time with his daughter.This sentence demonstrates using pasar tiempo to talk about wanting to be with a family member.Tatoeba #2395044 by Shishir, translation #1801675 by Spamster
- Es importante pasar tiempo con la familia.It's important to spend time with family.
- Tenemos que invertir tiempo en nuestro desarrollo profesional.We have to spend time on our professional development.
- Debes dedicar tiempo a tus pasiones para ser feliz.You should spend time on your passions to be happy.
- Vamos a echar el rato en el parque.Let's spend some time hanging out in the park.
- Ayer pasamos un buen rato en el concierto.Yesterday we had a good time at the concert.
- 12 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about their weekend plans.
- MateoHola Elena, ¿quieres pasar tiempo en el parque?Hi Elena, do you want to spend time in the park?
- ElenaMe encantaría, pero tengo que estudiar mucho.I would love to, but I have to study a lot.
- MateoPodemos pasar tiempo juntos el domingo entonces.We can spend time together on Sunday then.
- ElenaPerfecto, Mateo. Nos vemos el domingo.Perfect, Mateo. I'll see you on Sunday.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “spend time” translations and entries pasar tiempo, pasar el tiempo, 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, tiempo, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
