pasando tiempo
/pasando tjempo/from spelling rules
In Spanish, "spending time" is translated as pasando tiempo.
The phrase refers to the act of using one's time to perform a particular activity or to be with another person. When you want to specify spending time with a person, use the preposition con after the verb, as in pasar tiempo con alguien.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase pasando tiempo is a literal translation of "passing time".
Which one should you use?
Avoid using gastar tiempo to mean spending time. While gastar is used for spending money, it is not the standard way to describe the passage of time during an activity. Instead, use pasar tiempo.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, the colloquial expression echar el rato is used to mean spending time. In parts of Latin America, people often use compartir tiempo, which translates to "share time", as a friendly way to express the idea of spending time together.
How does it change in a sentence?
To express the general concept of "to spend time" as a verb phrase, use the infinitive form pasar tiempo.
Did you know?
- The word tiempo can refer to both 'time' and 'weather'. This means a sentence like el tiempo es bueno could mean either 'the time is good' or 'the weather is nice'.
- The English word 'temperature' and the Spanish word tiempo share the same ancient ancestor, a root meaning 'to stretch'.
- The phrase echar el rato used in Spain is quite informal and literally translates to 'throwing the while'.
Examples in context
- Me gustaría pasar tiempo contigo.I would like to spend time with you.
- Hemos invertido mucho tiempo en este proyecto.We have invested a lot of time in this project.
- Vamos a pasar un rato juntos en el parque.Let's spend some time together at the park.
- Vamos a echar el rato en el café.Let's spend some time at the café.
- quiero pasar un fin de semana contigoI want to spend a weekend with you
- estoy pasando tiempo con mi familiaI am spending time with my family
- pasé tiempo con mis amigosI spent time with my friends
- Estoy pasando tiempo con mi abuela.I am spending time with my grandmother.
Example conversation
Mateo and Elena are talking about their weekend plans.
- Mateo¿Qué vas a hacer este sábado, Elena?What are you going to do this Saturday, Elena?
- ElenaVoy a estar pasando tiempo con mis primos.I am going to be spending time with my cousins.
- MateoQué bien, yo no tengo planes.That's great, I don't have any plans.
- ElenaPuedes venir y pasar tiempo con nosotros.You can come and spend time with us.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries tiempo, CC BY-SA 4.0.
