Qué pasó
/ke paso/from spelling rules
Qué pasó is the Spanish way to say "what happened".
Qué pasó is a question used to ask about the cause or details of a past event or a current situation.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the interrogative pronoun qué (what) and the third-person singular preterite form of the verb pasar (to happen/to pass).
Which one should you use?
While Qué pasó uses the preterite to ask about a completed event in the past, Qué pasa uses the present tense to ask about a current situation or as a greeting like "What's up?"
How does it change in a sentence?
In a direct question, the phrase must be accompanied by opening and closing question marks.
Did you know?
- In certain contexts, Pasó can be used as a euphemism for someone dying, implying they 'passed away' rather than using the blunt word for death.
- If you use ¿Qué pasó? in a loud, accusatory tone, it can function as a challenge or a confrontation, similar to asking 'What's your problem?' in English.
- The word qué descends from the Latin word quid. This is the same root that gives English the phrase 'quid pro quo'.
Examples in context
- No sé qué pasó.I don't know what happened.This sentence shows how to use Qué pasó in a negative statement of ignorance.Tatoeba #2339308 by marcelostockle, translation #1887246 by CK
- No vi qué pasó.I didn't see what happened.This sentence shows how to use Qué pasó to express that one did not witness an event.Tatoeba #3717405 by Seael, translation #2275929 by CK
- ¿Qué pasó aquí hoy?What happened here today?This sentence shows how to use Qué pasó to ask about a specific event occurring at a specific place and time.Tatoeba #4317939 by pchamorro, translation #3129468 by CK
- ¿Qué pasó en la fiesta anoche?What happened at the party last night?
- 71 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Alejandro and Sofía see a broken window in their living room.
- Alejandro¿Qué pasó con la ventana?What happened to the window?
- SofíaNo lo sé, Alejandro.I don't know, Alejandro.
- AlejandroParece que algo la golpeó.It looks like something hit it.
- SofíaEspero que no haya sido nada grave.I hope it wasn't anything serious.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries qué, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
