المعنى
The act of occupying oneself with an activity.
خلفية ثقافية
The concept of 'la sobremesa' is the ultimate form of 'pasar tiempo.' It involves staying at the table for an hour or more after a meal to talk. Spending time with extended family is a core value. Weekends are often entirely dedicated to 'pasar tiempo con la familia.' The 'mate' ritual is a specific way to 'pasar tiempo.' Friends gather to share the drink and talk for hours. Socializing in public spaces like plazas or 'el malecón' is a common way to 'pasar el rato' in the evenings.
The Gerund Trick
Always use the -ando/-iendo form after 'pasar tiempo' to sound like a native. 'Paso tiempo leyendo' sounds much better than 'Paso tiempo para leer.'
Money vs Time
Never use 'gastar' for time. It's the #1 mistake English speakers make. If you say 'Gasto tiempo,' people will think you are wasting it or talking about money.
المعنى
The act of occupying oneself with an activity.
The Gerund Trick
Always use the -ando/-iendo form after 'pasar tiempo' to sound like a native. 'Paso tiempo leyendo' sounds much better than 'Paso tiempo para leer.'
Money vs Time
Never use 'gastar' for time. It's the #1 mistake English speakers make. If you say 'Gasto tiempo,' people will think you are wasting it or talking about money.
Add 'el' for 'Killing Time'
If you are waiting for a bus and just scrolling on your phone, say 'Estoy pasando el tiempo.' The 'el' makes it feel more like you are just letting time go by.
Quality over Quantity
In Spanish, 'pasar tiempo' is often assumed to be 'quality time.' You don't always need to add the word 'calidad' for it to sound positive.
اختبر نفسك
Fill in the blank with the correct form of 'pasar' in the present tense.
Yo _______ mucho tiempo con mis amigos los fines de semana.
The subject is 'Yo', so the verb 'pasar' must end in '-o'.
Which sentence is correct?
Choose the natural way to say 'I spend time reading'.
We use 'pasar' for time and the gerund (-endo) for the activity.
Match the Spanish phrase with its English equivalent.
Match the following:
These are common variations of time-related phrases in Spanish.
Complete the dialogue with the most natural phrase.
A: ¿Qué hiciste ayer? B: _________ en la playa con mi hermana.
The speaker is talking about themselves in the past (Preterite).
Match the phrase to the situation.
You are at a party and having fun.
While you are 'passing time' there, 'pasarlo bien' is the specific phrase for having fun.
🎉 النتيجة: /5
وسائل تعلم بصرية
Pasar vs Gastar
بنك التمارين
5 تمارينYo _______ mucho tiempo con mis amigos los fines de semana.
The subject is 'Yo', so the verb 'pasar' must end in '-o'.
Choose the natural way to say 'I spend time reading'.
We use 'pasar' for time and the gerund (-endo) for the activity.
طابق كل عنصر على اليسار مع زوجه على اليمين:
These are common variations of time-related phrases in Spanish.
A: ¿Qué hiciste ayer? B: _________ en la playa con mi hermana.
The speaker is talking about themselves in the past (Preterite).
You are at a party and having fun.
While you are 'passing time' there, 'pasarlo bien' is the specific phrase for having fun.
🎉 النتيجة: /5
الأسئلة الشائعة
14 أسئلةYes! You can spend time with pets just like with people.
It is neutral. You can use it with your boss or your best friend.
'Pasar el rato' is more casual, like 'hanging out' for a short while.
Use 'Pasé dos horas haciendo la tarea.'
Yes, 'Pasamos tiempo en Italia' is perfectly correct.
Only if you mean 'to waste time' in a very negative, resource-draining way, but 'perder tiempo' is much more common.
Usually no. 'Pasar tiempo' is 'to spend time.' 'Pasar el tiempo' is 'to pass the time.'
It is 'tiempo de calidad.'
Yes, it means 'to spend time alone.'
There isn't a direct opposite, but 'perder tiempo' (waste time) is the negative counterpart.
Always use 'en' for locations. 'Paso tiempo en la oficina.'
Yes, 'Pasar tiempo en Instagram' is very common today.
Yes, 'Pasé tres años en México.'
¿Cómo pasas tu tiempo?
عبارات ذات صلة
Pasar el rato
similarTo hang out / pass a short while
Perder el tiempo
contrastTo waste time
Invertir tiempo
specialized formTo invest time
Hacer tiempo
similarTo kill time
Pasarlo bien
builds onTo have a good time
