pasado
/paˈsado/masculine
The Spanish word for 'past' is pasado.
The word pasado is primarily used as a noun to refer to a period of time that has already happened. It can also function as an adjective meaning 'having already happened' or 'in the past'.
Meaning: period of time that has already happened (noun)
Which one should you use?
While pasado functions as the noun 'the past' and as an adjective, it also serves as the past participle of the verb pasar (to pass).
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
As an adjective, pasado must agree with the noun it describes. Use the feminine form pasada for feminine nouns, and the plural forms pasados (masculine) or pasadas (feminine) for plural nouns.
How do you pronounce it?
/paˈsado/
Did you know?
- If you are pasado de copas, you are not talking about a time period, but rather that you are 'drunk' from having 'passed' too many drinks.
- In Spanish, if you describe a person as being pasado, you are not talking about their history, but rather saying they are 'over the hill' or 'too much' in a certain behavior.
- The word pasado is derived from the verb pasar, which comes from the Latin passus, meaning 'a step'.
Examples in context
- Es cosa del pasado.It's a thing of the past.This sentence shows how to use pasado as a noun to describe something belonging to the past.Tatoeba #3116946 by marcelostockle, translation #3059868 by LiliHanna
- No olvides el pasado.Don't forget the past.This sentence uses pasado as a noun to advise against forgetting what has happened.Tatoeba #5724689 by arh, translation #5720588 by CK
- El pasado, pasado está.The past is the past.Tatoeba #2246921 by Shishir, translation #2235370 by Hybrid
- El año pasado visité España.Last year, I visited Spain.
- En el pasado, esta ciudad fue capital del país.In the past, this city was the capital of the country.
- La década anterior marcó un hito en la historia del arte.The previous decade marked a milestone in art history.
- Los años pasados fueron difíciles para la economía.The past years were difficult for the economy.
- La administración pasada dejó un legado notable.The previous administration left a remarkable legacy.
- No te preocupes, ya pasó.Don't worry, it's already over.
- Voy a dejar de pensar en eso, es cosa del pasado.I'm going to stop thinking about that, it's a thing of the past.
- No mires atrás, sigue adelante.Don't look back, keep going forward.
- Todo eso quedó en el pasado, no vale la pena recordarlo.All of that is in the past, it's not worth remembering.
- Recuerdo esa historia, es de antes.I remember that story, it's from the past.
- 109 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Alejandro and Lucía are talking about their old childhood homes.
- AlejandroExtraño mucho mi casa del pasado.I really miss my home from the past.
- LucíaYo también, pero el pasado ya se fue.Me too, but the past is already gone.
- AlejandroTienes razón, Lucía, hay que mirar adelante.You are right, Lucía, we have to look forward.
- LucíaExacto, Alejandro, vivamos el presente.Exactly, Alejandro, let's live in the present.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “past” translations and entries pasado, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries pasado, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
