pasar tiempo con la familia
/pasaɾ tjempo kon la familja/from spelling rules
To spend time with family in Spanish is pasar tiempo con la familia.
The phrase pasar tiempo con la familia is used to describe passing a period of time in the company of one's family members. Note that in Spanish, it is common to use the definite article la before familia, even in cases where an English speaker might omit it.
What does it mean word for word?
This phrase is a literal translation of 'to pass time with the family', using pasar (to pass/spend) and tiempo (time).
How does it change in a sentence?
To change the phrase into the preterite tense to say 'I spent time with the family', change the infinitive pasar to the first-person singular past form pasé, resulting in pasé tiempo con la familia.
Did you know?
- The word familia comes from the Latin word for the 'slave staff of a household'. In ancient Rome, this included not just blood relatives but all the servants and slaves belonging to the same home.
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, la familia traditionally encompasses a much broader circle than the English 'nuclear family', often including cousins, godparents and distant relatives as immediate family.
- While pasar tiempo is a direct translation of 'to spend time', Spanish speakers often use the verb compartir (to share) to describe quality time spent with others.
Examples in context
- Me gusta dedicar tiempo a la familia en los fines de semana.I like to dedicate time to the family on weekends.
- En mi empresa, valoramos que los empleados pasen tiempo con la familia.In my company, we value employees spending time with their families.
- Siempre la paso en grande con la familia los domingos.I always have a great time with the family on Sundays.
- Me gusta pasar tiempo con la familia.I like to spend time with my family.
- ¿Quieres pasar tiempo con la familia este fin de semana?Do you want to spend time with the family this weekend?
- Es importante pasar tiempo con la familia.It is important to spend time with family.
Example conversation
Alejandro and Sofía are discussing their plans for the holiday.
- Alejandro¿Qué vas a hacer en Navidad, Sofía?What are you going to do for Christmas, Sofía?
- SofíaVoy a pasar tiempo con la familia.I am going to spend time with my family.
- AlejandroQué bueno, yo también quiero pasar tiempo con la familia.That's great, I also want to spend time with my family.
- Sofía¡Disfruta mucho de tu familia, Alejandro!Enjoy your family a lot, Alejandro!
