Significado
Engaging in an activity while waiting.
Contexto cultural
The 'Passeggiata' is the ultimate way to 'passare il tempo'. It involves walking through the city center before dinner just to see and be seen. In the South, 'passare il tempo' during the hot afternoon often involves quiet activities like playing cards (scopa) or napping. Modern Italians use 'passare il tempo' to describe their heavy use of WhatsApp and social media, which is a primary social connector. Rooted in Roman history, 'ozio' (leisure) was the time for intellectual growth. 'Passare il tempo' can still carry this positive connotation of self-improvement.
The 'A' Rule
Always follow 'passare il tempo' with 'a' + infinitive. It's the most common mistake for foreigners.
Money vs Time
Never use 'spendere' for time. It sounds very unnatural to Italians.
Significado
Engaging in an activity while waiting.
The 'A' Rule
Always follow 'passare il tempo' with 'a' + infinitive. It's the most common mistake for foreigners.
Money vs Time
Never use 'spendere' for time. It sounds very unnatural to Italians.
Social Context
Saying 'passiamo il tempo insieme' is a very warm way to suggest hanging out without a specific plan.
Past Tense
Remember: 'Ho passato' (I spent), not 'Sono passato' (which means 'I passed by').
Ponte a prueba
Fill in the blank with the correct form of 'passare' and the required preposition.
Io e Maria ______ il tempo ______ guardare i vecchi film.
We (Io e Maria) requires 'passiamo', and the preposition for the following action is always 'a'.
Which sentence is grammatically correct?
How do you say 'I spent two hours at the park'?
You must use 'avere' (ho) and 'passare' (not spendere) for time.
Complete the dialogue with the most natural phrase.
A: Il volo è in ritardo di tre ore! B: Che noia... ___________ giocando a carte?
'Passiamo il tempo' is the most natural way to suggest an activity while waiting.
Match the phrase to the situation.
Match: 1. Ammazzare il tempo, 2. Trascorrere il tempo, 3. Perdere tempo
Ammazzare = Kill (boredom), Trascorrere = Formal, Perdere = Waste.
🎉 Puntuación: /4
Ayudas visuales
Ways to Pass the Time
In Public
- • Piazza
- • Bar
- • Passeggiata
At Home
- • Leggere
- • TV
- • Cucinare
Digital
- • Social Media
- • Gaming
- • Chatting
Passare vs. Perdere
Banco de ejercicios
4 ejerciciosIo e Maria ______ il tempo ______ guardare i vecchi film.
We (Io e Maria) requires 'passiamo', and the preposition for the following action is always 'a'.
How do you say 'I spent two hours at the park'?
You must use 'avere' (ho) and 'passare' (not spendere) for time.
A: Il volo è in ritardo di tre ore! B: Che noia... ___________ giocando a carte?
'Passiamo il tempo' is the most natural way to suggest an activity while waiting.
Match: 1. Ammazzare il tempo, 2. Trascorrere il tempo, 3. Perdere tempo
Ammazzare = Kill (boredom), Trascorrere = Formal, Perdere = Waste.
🎉 Puntuación: /4
Preguntas frecuentes
10 preguntasIt's better to use 'il tempo' or 'del tempo'. 'Passo del tempo' means 'I spend some time'.
Not better, just more formal. Use 'passare' in 90% of daily conversations.
You can say 'Sto solo passando il tempo' or 'Sto ammazzando il tempo' if you're bored.
It's better to say 'Lavoro per 8 ore' rather than 'Passo 8 ore a lavorare', as the latter sounds like you're just trying to make the time go by.
'Perdere tempo' is always negative (wasting), while 'passare il tempo' is neutral or positive.
Yes, it's the standard word for 'hobby' or 'pastime'.
Yes, this is a very common and correct way to say you spend time with family.
It requires 'avere' because 'il tempo' is a direct object.
No, for overtaking a car you use 'sorpassare'.
Use 'Il tempo passa in fretta'. Here, 'il tempo' is the subject.
Frases relacionadas
Perdere tempo
contrastTo waste time
Trascorrere il tempo
synonymTo spend time (formal)
Ammazzare il tempo
specialized formTo kill time
Prendere tempo
similarTo stall / To buy time
A tempo perso
builds onIn one's spare time
