pas à pas
/pa.z‿a pa/
The English phrase "step by step" is translated into French as pas à pas.
pas à pas is an adverb used to mean gradually.
Meaning: gradually (adv)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is a literal translation of "step by step", where pas means "step" and à means "by" or "to" in this context.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase pas à pas is invariable, meaning it does not change to match gender or number.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation is /pa.z‿a pa/.
Did you know?
- The word pas is most commonly used today to create a negation like 'no' or 'not'. This happened because people once said they were 'not taking a single step' to emphasize a total lack of movement.
- In French dance terminology, specifically ballet, the word pas is used to name specific movements, such as the pas de deux for a dance performed by two people.
- In French, if you say you are walking 'pas à pas', you might be described as being 'prudent', implying a level of caution rather than just slow speed.
Examples in context
- Vous devez avancer pas à pas.You must advance step by step.This sentence shows how to use pas à pas to describe advancing.Tatoeba #6598689 by felix63, translation #6602075 by Eccles17
- Pas à pas, on fait le tour du monde.Step by step, we're traveling around the world.This sentence uses pas à pas to describe traveling around the world.Tatoeba #5239755 by Iriep, translation #12343944 by Miktsoanit
- Sans se précipiter, il est important de procéder pas à pas.Without being hasty, it's important to move onwards step by step.This sentence illustrates how to use pas à pas when discussing moving onwards without being hasty.Tatoeba #11911272 by zogwarg, translation #11911273 by zogwarg
- Veuillez suivre les instructions pas à pas.Please follow the instructions step by step.
- Veuillez procéder méthodiquement.Please proceed step by step / methodically.
- Veuillez avancer graduellement.Please proceed gradually / step by step.
- Essaye encore, tu y arriveras petit à petit.Try again, you'll get there step by step.
- Explique-moi ça pas à pas.Explain it to me step by step.
- Suis ces instructions étape par étape.Follow these instructions step by step.
- Pour configurer votre nouvel appareil, suivez attentivement les instructions pas à pas fournies dans le manuel.To set up your new device, carefully follow the step-by-step instructions provided in the manual.
- Si tu veux réussir en français, tu dois travailler petit à petit, jour après jour.If you want to succeed in French, you need to work step by step, day after day.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lucas and Manon are discussing a difficult new project at work.
- LucasCe projet est vraiment difficile, non ?This project is really difficult, isn't it?
- ManonOui, mais nous allons progresser pas à pas.Yes, but we will progress step by step.
- LucasTu as raison, ne brûlons pas les étapes.You're right, let's not skip any steps.
- ManonC'est la meilleure façon de réussir.It is the best way to succeed.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “step by step” translations and entries pas à pas, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries pas, à, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
