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A1 verb #1,000 le plus courant 8 min de lecture

passen

Top 1,000

Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces passen en 30 secondes

Explication passen in your Level:

At the A1 level, 'passen' is primarily used to talk about physical size and simple daily arrangements. You will learn it in the context of shopping for clothes (e.g., 'Die Hose passt mir nicht') or confirming a time to meet a friend (e.g., 'Das passt mir um 14 Uhr'). The focus is on the basic dative structure 'etwas passt mir'. You should understand that it describes a functional fit—either something is the right size or it is convenient. It is one of the essential verbs for basic survival in a German-speaking environment, allowing you to interact with shop assistants and make simple plans. At this stage, don't worry too much about figurative meanings; just focus on clothes and clocks.

At the A2 level, you expand your use of 'passen' to include the preposition 'zu' to describe how things match. You will start saying things like 'Der Wein passt zum Fisch' (The wine goes with the fish) or 'Die Krawatte passt zum Hemd' (The tie matches the shirt). You also begin to use 'passen' in the context of 'fitting into' something, like a car or a room, often using 'hineinpassen'. You will encounter the common phrase 'Das passt schon' to mean 'It's okay'. The grammatical focus remains on the dative case, but you are now expected to use it more fluidly in different contexts, including past tense ('Das hat mir gut gepasst').

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At the B1 level, 'passen' starts to take on more abstract and figurative meanings. You might use it to describe how a person 'fits' into a team or how a specific behavior 'fits' a situation. You will also learn more complex idioms like 'Das passt wie die Faust aufs Auge' (which can mean either a perfect fit or a terrible match, depending on context, though usually perfect in modern usage). You'll use 'passen' to discuss compatibility in relationships or jobs. Your understanding of the difference between 'passen' (size/logic), 'stehen' (aesthetics), and 'sitzen' (cut/placement) should become much clearer at this stage.

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At the B2 level, you should be able to use 'passen' in professional and academic contexts. This includes discussing whether a theory 'fits' the data or if a candidate 'fits' the requirements of a job description ('ins Profil passen'). You will also encounter the verb in more complex sentence structures and in combination with various prefixes (anpassen, aufpassen, verpassen). You should be comfortable using 'passen' to express subtle nuances of suitability and appropriateness in debates or formal writing. The use of 'passen' in card games or sports (to pass) should also be familiar by now.

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At the C1 level, your use of 'passen' should be indistinguishable from a native speaker's. You will understand its use in literature and high-level journalism to describe societal trends or philosophical alignments. You'll be aware of its more obscure uses and how it can be used ironically. You will also have a firm grasp of all its derivatives and how they change the meaning (e.g., 'einpassen', 'zusammenpassen', 'verpassen'). You can use 'passen' to describe the 'fit' of a complex argument within a larger intellectual framework. Your vocabulary will include sophisticated synonyms like 'korrespondieren' or 'harmonieren', and you will know exactly when 'passen' is the more natural choice.

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At the C2 level, you possess a mastery of 'passen' that includes an appreciation for its etymological roots and its role in various German dialects or specialized jargon. You can use the word to convey precise shades of meaning in creative writing or complex negotiations. You are familiar with archaic or highly specific uses in technical fields (like engineering or law) where 'Passung' (fit/tolerance) is a technical term. You can play with the word's multiple meanings for rhetorical effect or humor. At this level, 'passen' is not just a verb but a flexible tool for expressing the intricate ways in which the world and its ideas align or clash.

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Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces

passen en 30 secondes

Passen means to fit (size) or to suit (convenience/matching).
Use the dative case for the person (mir, dir, ihm).
Use 'zu' to say something matches something else.
Commonly used for clothes, appointments, and sports passes.

The German verb passen is a versatile cornerstone of the language, primarily translating to 'to fit' or 'to suit' in English. At its most fundamental level, it describes the physical relationship between two objects, such as a key fitting into a lock or a piece of clothing fitting a person's body. However, its utility extends far beyond the physical realm into the social, temporal, and aesthetic spheres of daily life. In German culture, where precision and appropriateness are often valued, passen serves as the linguistic tool to confirm that things are in their right place or happening at the right time.

Physical Fit: This refers to dimensions and size. If a pair of trousers is neither too big nor too small, they passen. It is important to note that this specifically refers to size, whereas the aesthetic 'looking good' uses the verb stehen.

Die Schuhe passen mir perfekt.

Temporal Suitability: When arranging meetings or appointments, passen is the go-to verb to ask if a specific time works for someone. It functions similarly to 'to be convenient'.

Beyond these, passen is used in sports, specifically ball games like football (soccer), to describe the act of passing the ball to a teammate. In card games, it signifies a player's decision to skip their turn or not to bid. The richness of the word lies in its ability to bridge the gap between the concrete (a key) and the abstract (a personality matching a job description). It is a word of harmony and alignment, used whenever two or more elements come together in a way that feels correct or functional.

Der Schlüssel passt ins Schloss.

Dienstag um zehn passt mir gut.

Aesthetic Matching: When used with the preposition zu, it describes how well two things complement each other visually or conceptually, like a tie matching a shirt.

Die Krawatte passt zum Hemd.

In summary, passen is an essential verb for navigating physical spaces, social schedules, and stylistic choices in German. Its frequent use in both formal and informal registers makes it one of the first verbs a learner should master to sound natural and precise.

Using passen correctly requires an understanding of its grammatical structures, which vary depending on the intended meaning. The most common pitfall for English speakers is the use of cases. When you say something fits 'me', 'you', or 'him', that person must be in the Dative case. This is because the object is not being directly acted upon in the way a direct object would be; rather, the object is the recipient of the 'fitting' quality.

Structure 1: Subject + passen: Used for general fit or card games. 'Der Deckel passt' (The lid fits). 'Ich passe' (I pass/I skip my turn).

Diese Antwort passt nicht.

Structure 2: Subject + passen + Dative Object: Used when something fits a person (size) or suits a person (time/convenience). 'Das Hemd passt ihm' (The shirt fits him).

Structure 3: Subject + passen + zu + Dative: Used for matching or compatibility between two things. 'Der Wein passt zum Essen' (The wine matches/goes well with the food).

Dein Verhalten passt nicht zu deinen Worten.

In questions, passen often starts the sentence or follows a question word. 'Passt es dir morgen?' (Does tomorrow suit you?). Note that 'es' is often used as a dummy subject when referring to situations or times. When discussing physical space, you might use the preposition in + Accusative: 'Der Schrank passt in die Ecke' (The cupboard fits into the corner).

Wann passt es Ihnen am besten?

Das passt wie angegossen.

Finally, consider the negative form. 'Das passt mir gar nicht' is a strong way to express that something is very inconvenient or unacceptable. The flexibility of passen allows it to be used in almost every tense with regular conjugation: ich passe, du passt, er passt, wir passten, hat gepasst. Mastery of these patterns ensures you can express compatibility in any situation.

You will encounter passen in a multitude of real-world scenarios in Germany, from the high-street shops of Berlin to the corporate offices of Frankfurt. It is a word that permeates daily interaction because it deals with the logistics of life. If you are shopping for clothes, the salesperson will inevitably ask, 'Passt alles?' (Does everything fit?). This is the standard way to check if the sizes are correct.

At the Clothing Store: 'Die Hose passt, aber die Farbe steht mir nicht.' Here, the speaker distinguishes between the size (passen) and the aesthetic appeal (stehen).

Entschuldigung, passt diese Größe?

In the Office / Business: When scheduling a 'Termin' (appointment), you will hear: 'Passt Ihnen der Termin am Mittwoch?' This is the polite, standard way to negotiate schedules.

In social settings, passen is used to express agreement or satisfaction with a plan. If a friend suggests going to a specific restaurant, you might reply, 'Das passt mir gut,' meaning that the choice aligns with your preferences or schedule. You'll also hear it in the phrase 'Das passt schon,' which is the German equivalent of 'It's okay' or 'No worries,' often used when someone apologizes for a minor mistake or when a small discrepancy in payment is ignored (e.g., at a café).

Das passt perfekt in meinen Zeitplan.

Wir müssen passen, wir haben keine Zeit.

In Craftsmanship / DIY: Germans take pride in precision. A carpenter might say, 'Das Stück passt haargenau' (The piece fits exactly/to a hair's breadth).

Whether you are listening to a podcast, reading a news article about political 'fitting' (suitability of a candidate), or just buying bread at a bakery, passen will appear. It is a word that confirms the world is functioning as intended, with all parts clicking into their designated slots.

One of the most frequent errors English speakers make with passen is confusing it with other 'fitting' or 'looking' verbs like stehen and gehören. Because English uses 'fit' and 'suit' somewhat interchangeably, the distinctions in German can be tricky. Understanding these nuances is key to moving from a beginner to an intermediate level.

Mistake 1: Passen vs. Stehen: Learners often say 'Die Hose passt mir' when they mean the color or style looks good. Correct: 'Die Hose passt' (size), but 'Die Hose steht mir' (it looks good on me).

Falsch: Das Kleid passt dir (meaning it looks pretty). Richtig: Das Kleid steht dir.

Mistake 2: Using the Accusative Case: English speakers naturally want to use the accusative: 'Es passt mich'. This is incorrect. It must always be the dative: 'Es passt mir'.

Another common error involves the preposition zu. When you want to say something 'matches' something else, you must use zu. Saying 'Die Krawatte passt das Hemd' is ungrammatical. It must be 'Die Krawatte passt zum Hemd'. Furthermore, don't confuse passen with gehören (to belong). While a key passt in a lock, the key gehört to the owner.

Falsch: Der Schlüssel passt mir (meaning it belongs to me). Richtig: Der Schlüssel gehört mir.

Falsch: Das passt für mich. Richtig: Das passt mir.

Mistake 3: Overusing 'passen' for 'fit': In English, we say 'I can't fit into this chair.' In German, you would more likely say 'Ich passe nicht in diesen Stuhl' or use hineinpassen. Using just passen without the preposition 'in' can sometimes sound incomplete.

Lastly, be careful with the verb aufpassen. While it contains the root passen, it means 'to pay attention' or 'to watch out'. Mixing these up can lead to confusing sentences like 'Ich passe auf die Hose' (I'm watching the pants) instead of 'Die Hose passt mir' (The pants fit me).

While passen is the most common verb for fitting and suiting, German offers several alternatives that provide more specific meanings. Choosing the right one can make your German sound much more sophisticated and precise. Depending on whether you are talking about clothing, social situations, or mechanical parts, you might want to reach for a different word.

Sitzen: While passen refers to size, sitzen refers to the 'cut' or how the garment sits on the body. 'Der Anzug sitzt perfekt' implies it is tailored well and looks sharp, not just that it is the right size.

Die Jacke sitzt an den Schultern sehr gut.

Stehen: As mentioned before, stehen (to stand) is used when something 'suits' someone aesthetically. 'Blau steht dir gut' (Blue suits you/looks good on you).

Entsprechen: This is a more formal verb meaning 'to correspond to' or 'to meet' (e.g., requirements). 'Das entspricht nicht meinen Erwartungen' (That doesn't fit/meet my expectations).

Das Ergebnis entspricht der Norm.

Das harmoniert wunderbar miteinander.

Harmonieren: Used when two things 'harmonize' or go together perfectly, often used for colors, flavors, or people's personalities.

For the act of 'passing' in sports, you might also hear abspielen or zuspielen. In the context of 'fitting into' a group, sich einfügen is a common alternative. By understanding these distinctions, you can avoid the 'one-size-fits-all' approach to using passen and instead select the word that perfectly fits the context of your conversation.

How Formal Is It?

Le savais-tu ?

The word 'Pass' (passport) and 'passen' share the same root, as a passport allows you to 'pass' through a gate or port.

Guide de prononciation

UK /ˈpasn̩/

US /ˈpɑːsn̩/

The stress is on the first syllable: PAS-sen.

Rime avec

lassen massen tassen fassen hassen kassen blassen prassen

Erreurs fréquentes

Pronouncing the 'a' like the English 'face'. It should be a short, open 'a'.
Over-emphasizing the 'en' at the end. In natural speech, it's almost silent.
Confusing the 'ss' with a 'z' sound. It should be a sharp 's'.

Niveau de difficulté

Lecture 1/5

Very easy to recognize in text.

Écriture 3/5

Requires correct use of dative case and prepositions.

Expression orale 2/5

Common in daily speech, but easy to confuse with 'stehen'.

Écoute 1/5

Clear pronunciation and high frequency.

Quoi apprendre ensuite

Prérequis

gehen stehen mir/dir (Dative) Kleidung Uhrzeit

Apprends ensuite

anpassen aufpassen verpassen gehören entsprechen

Avancé

die Passung konform gehen harmonieren korrespondieren

Grammaire à connaître

Dative Verbs

Passen is a verb that often takes a dative object (mir, dir, ihm).

Prepositional Objects

When matching two things, use 'zu' + Dative.

Two-Way Prepositions

When fitting 'into' something, use 'in' + Accusative for direction.

Separable Verbs

Prefixes like 'an-', 'auf-', and 'ver-' create new meanings but follow separable rules.

Konjunktiv II

Use 'würde passen' for polite suggestions or hypothetical fits.

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Exemples par niveau

Die Hose passt mir nicht.

The pants don't fit me.

Dative: 'mir' is the person the pants don't fit.

Passt dir der Termin am Montag?

Does the appointment on Monday suit you?

Interrogative with dative 'dir'.

Der Schlüssel passt ins Schloss.

The key fits into the lock.

Preposition 'ins' (in + das) with accusative for direction.

Das passt mir gut.

That suits me well.

Simple dative structure.

Die Schuhe passen perfekt.

The shoes fit perfectly.

Adverb 'perfekt' modifying the verb.

Ich passe.

I pass (in a game).

Intransitive use in games.

Das Hemd passt ihm.

The shirt fits him.

Dative pronoun 'ihm'.

Wann passt es dir?

When does it suit you?

Question word 'Wann' + 'es' as dummy subject.

Die Jacke passt zum Rock.

The jacket matches the skirt.

Preposition 'zu' + dative 'dem Rock'.

Das passt nicht zusammen.

That doesn't go together.

Adverb 'zusammen' (together).

Passt das Auto in die Garage?

Does the car fit into the garage?

Preposition 'in' + accusative 'die Garage'.

Das passt schon.

That's fine / No worries.

Idiomatic filler 'schon'.

Die Farbe passt zu deinen Augen.

The color matches your eyes.

Preposition 'zu' + dative plural 'deinen Augen'.

Der Termin hat mir nicht gepasst.

The appointment didn't suit me.

Perfekt tense: 'hat gepasst'.

Wir passen gut zusammen.

We fit well together.

Used for people/relationships.

Passt dieser Deckel auf den Topf?

Does this lid fit on the pot?

Preposition 'auf' + accusative 'den Topf'.

Das passt wie die Faust aufs Auge.

It fits perfectly (idiom).

Common idiom.

Er passt nicht in unser Team.

He doesn't fit into our team.

Figurative use for social groups.

Diese Antwort passt nicht zur Frage.

This answer doesn't fit the question.

Logical matching.

Das würde mir sehr gut passen.

That would suit me very well.

Konjunktiv II (would).

Du musst dich der Situation passen.

You must adapt to the situation (Note: usually 'anpassen').

Reflexive 'sich anpassen' is more common here.

Die Beschreibung passt genau auf ihn.

The description fits him exactly.

Preposition 'auf' + accusative.

Das passt in mein Konzept.

That fits into my concept/plan.

Abstract 'fit'.

Er passte den Ball genau im richtigen Moment.

He passed the ball at exactly the right moment.

Präteritum (past tense).

Das passt nicht in mein Weltbild.

That doesn't fit into my worldview.

Sophisticated abstract noun 'Weltbild'.

Die Ergebnisse passen zu unserer Hypothese.

The results fit our hypothesis.

Academic context.

Wir müssen sehen, ob das zeitlich passt.

We have to see if that fits timing-wise.

Adverbial 'zeitlich'.

Das passt hervorragend in die aktuelle Debatte.

That fits excellently into the current debate.

Contextual suitability.

Seine Qualifikationen passen perfekt auf die Stelle.

His qualifications fit the position perfectly.

Professional context.

Es passt mir gerade gar nicht.

It really doesn't suit me right now.

Strong negation 'gar nicht'.

Die Puzzleteile passen nahtlos ineinander.

The puzzle pieces fit seamlessly into each other.

Adverb 'nahtlos' (seamlessly).

Das passt ins Bild einer modernen Stadt.

That fits the image of a modern city.

Idiomatic 'ins Bild passen'.

Diese Maßnahme passt nicht in den rechtlichen Rahmen.

This measure does not fit within the legal framework.

Formal/Legal context.

Sein Verhalten passte sich den Erwartungen an.

His behavior adapted to the expectations.

Reflexive 'sich anpassen'.

Das passt in die Logik der Ereignisse.

That fits the logic of the events.

Philosophical/Analytical context.

Wir sollten prüfen, ob das Angebot zu unseren Werten passt.

We should check if the offer fits our values.

Ethical/Value-based matching.

Die Ironie der Geschichte passt hier perfekt.

The irony of history fits perfectly here.

Rhetorical use.

Es passte ihm sichtlich nicht, korrigiert zu werden.

It clearly didn't suit him to be corrected.

Adverb 'sichtlich' (visibly).

Das passt haargenau in die Lücke.

That fits exactly into the gap.

Idiomatic 'haargenau'.

Seine Argumentation passt nicht ganz zur Beweislage.

His reasoning doesn't quite fit the evidence.

Nuanced negation 'nicht ganz'.

Die metrische Struktur passt sich dem Rhythmus des Gedichts an.

The metric structure adapts to the rhythm of the poem.

Literary analysis.

Das passt in das Narrativ der damaligen Zeit.

That fits the narrative of that time.

Historiographical context.

Seine Handlungsweise passt nicht in das Schema eines Helden.

His way of acting does not fit the archetype of a hero.

Literary/Archetypal context.

Es will mir nicht so recht passen, dass er geht.

It doesn't quite sit right with me that he is leaving.

Idiomatic 'nicht so recht passen'.

Die Passung der Bauteile unterliegt strengen Toleranzen.

The fit of the components is subject to strict tolerances.

Technical noun 'Passung'.

Das passt trefflich zu seiner bisherigen Rhetorik.

That fits aptly with his previous rhetoric.

Elevated adverb 'trefflich'.

Diese Nuance passt nicht in die grobe Kategorisierung.

This nuance does not fit into the coarse categorization.

Analytical precision.

Er passte sich den Gegebenheiten mit stoischer Ruhe an.

He adapted to the circumstances with stoic calm.

Advanced descriptive phrase.

Collocations courantes

perfekt passen

wie angegossen passen

zeitlich passen

zusammen passen

ins Konzept passen

ins Bild passen

genau passen

gar nicht passen

optisch passen

inhaltlich passen

Phrases Courantes

Das passt schon.

— It's fine / No worries. Used to dismiss a small issue.

Kein Problem, das passt schon.

Passt alles?

— Is everything okay? Often asked by waiters or shop assistants.

Passt alles bei Ihnen?

Das passt mir gerade nicht.

— That doesn't suit me right now. Used for inconvenient timing.

Kannst du später anrufen? Das passt mir gerade nicht.

Wie die Faust aufs Auge passen.

— To fit perfectly (ironically or literally).

Die Rolle passt zu ihm wie die Faust aufs Auge.

Auf den Topf passt jeder Deckel.

— There is someone for everyone (metaphorical).

Mach dir keine Sorgen, auf jeden Topf passt ein Deckel.

Das passt wie gerufen.

— That comes at just the right time.

Deine Hilfe passt wie gerufen.

In die Welt passen.

— To be appropriate or timely in a global/social sense.

Das passt heute nicht mehr in die Welt.

Einen Pass spielen.

— To play a pass (sports).

Er spielt einen langen Pass.

Ich muss passen.

— I have to pass / I don't know the answer.

Bei dieser Frage muss ich leider passen.

Das passt ins Schema.

— That fits the pattern/scheme.

Sein Fehler passt genau ins Schema.

Souvent confondu avec

passen vs stehen

Stehen is for how something looks (aesthetics), passen is for size or logic.

passen vs gehören

Gehören means to belong to, passen means to fit into.

passen vs aufpassen

Aufpassen means to pay attention, not to fit.

Expressions idiomatiques

"Wie die Faust aufs Auge passen"

— To be a perfect match (modern) or a total mismatch (original).

Das neue Sofa passt wie die Faust aufs Auge ins Wohnzimmer.

informal

"Auf jeden Topf passt ein Deckel"

— There's a match for everyone (usually regarding romance).

Er findet sicher noch jemanden; auf jeden Topf passt ein Deckel.

informal

"Das passt auf keine Kuhhaut"

— That is beyond belief / outrageous (literally: wouldn't fit on a cow's skin).

Was er sich erlaubt, passt auf keine Kuhhaut!

informal

"In den Kram passen"

— To suit someone's purposes or plans (often used negatively).

Das passt ihm gerade gut in den Kram.

neutral

"Wie die Faust aufs Auge"

— Perfectly matched.

Die beiden passen zusammen wie die Faust aufs Auge.

informal

"Nicht ins Bild passen"

— To be out of character or inconsistent with the situation.

Seine Abwesenheit passt nicht ins Bild.

neutral

"Den Ball flach halten (related to passing)"

— To stay calm / not take risks.

Jetzt müssen wir erst mal den Ball flach halten.

informal

"In eine Schublade passen"

— To fit into a stereotype.

Er passt in keine Schublade.

neutral

"Wie angegossen passen"

— To fit like a second skin (clothes).

Der Anzug passt wie angegossen.

neutral

"Das passt wie die Faust aufs Auge (Sarcastic)"

— To not fit at all (older usage).

Die Krawatte zum Hawaiihemd passt wie die Faust aufs Auge.

informal

Facile à confondre

passen vs sitzen

Both relate to clothes.

Passen is about size (too big/small). Sitzen is about the cut and how it rests on the body.

Die Hose passt (Größe), aber sie sitzt nicht gut (Schnitt).

passen vs stehen

Both translate to 'suit' in English.

Stehen is for visual appeal. Passen is for size or convenience.

Blau steht dir, aber das Hemd passt dir nicht.

passen vs passen

In sports vs. daily life.

In sports, it's an action (to pass). In life, it's a state (to fit).

Er passt den Ball. vs. Der Schuh passt.

passen vs verpassen

Shares the root.

Verpassen means to miss (a train, a chance).

Ich habe den Bus verpasst.

passen vs anpassen

Shares the root.

Anpassen means to adapt or adjust something.

Du musst die Einstellungen anpassen.

Structures de phrases

[Subject] passt [Dative Object].

Die Hose passt mir.

[Subject] passt nicht.

Der Schlüssel passt nicht.

[Subject] passt zu [Dative Object].

Das Hemd passt zur Hose.

Passt es [Dative Object] am [Day]?

Passt es dir am Montag?

[Subject] passt wie die Faust aufs Auge.

Das passt wie die Faust aufs Auge.

[Subject] passt in [Accusative Object].

Er passt nicht in das Team.

Es passt [Dative Object] gerade [Adverb].

Es passt mir gerade gar nicht.

[Subject] passt sich [Dative Object] an.

Er passt sich der Situation an.

Famille de mots

Noms

Die Passung (the fit/tolerance)

Das Passen (the act of fitting/passing)

Der Pass (the pass/passport)

Verbes

anpassen (to adapt)

aufpassen (to pay attention)

verpassen (to miss)

zusammenpassen (to fit together)

hineinpassen (to fit into)

abpassen (to wait for the right moment)

Adjectifs

passend (suitable/fitting)

unpassend (unsuitable)

angepasst (adapted/conformist)

Apparenté

Passabel (passable)

Passagier (passenger)

Passage (passage)

Passform (fit/shape)

Passgenau (perfectly fitting)

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Comment l'utiliser

frequency

Extremely high in daily German.

Erreurs courantes

Das Kleid passt dir gut (meaning it looks good). → Das Kleid steht dir gut.
Passen is for size; stehen is for appearance.
Es passt mich. → Es passt mir.
Passen requires the dative case (mir), not the accusative (mich).
Die Krawatte passt das Hemd. → Die Krawatte passt zum Hemd.
You must use the preposition 'zu' when saying one thing matches another.
Was passt? → Was ist passiert?
Don't confuse 'passen' (to fit) with 'passieren' (to happen).
Ich passe auf die Hose (meaning it fits me). → Die Hose passt mir.
'Aufpassen' means to watch out or pay attention to something.

Astuces

Dative Memory Hook

Think of 'passen' as 'to be fitting TO someone'. The 'to' in English often signals the dative case in German (mir, dir, ihm).

Shopping Rule

In a changing room, use 'passen' for the size. If you want to compliment someone on how they look, use 'stehen'.

The 'Schon' Power

Master the phrase 'Das passt schon.' It makes you sound much more relaxed and fluent in everyday German interactions.

Making Appointments

When someone suggests a time, reply with 'Das passt mir gut' or 'Das passt' to confirm. It's the most natural way to agree.

Matching Things

Always use 'zu' for matching. 'A passt zu B'. It's like saying 'A fits TO B' in English.

Sports Context

In football, 'passen' is the verb, but the noun for the pass itself is 'der Pass'.

Faust aufs Auge

Don't be confused by this idiom. Even though a fist to the eye sounds bad, in German, it means the fit is perfect!

Passen vs Passieren

Never use 'passen' to mean 'to happen'. That is always 'passieren'. 'Was ist passiert?' (What happened?).

Compound Verbs

Learn 'anpassen' (adapt) and 'aufpassen' (watch out) early, as they are just as common as the base verb.

Quick Confirmation

If someone asks 'Geht das?', you can simply answer 'Passt!' to say 'That works!'

Mémorise-le

Moyen mnémotechnique

Think of a 'PASS' in football. If the ball 'PASSES' to the player perfectly, it 'PASSEN' (fits) the play.

Association visuelle

Imagine a key fitting into a lock. The key 'passes' into the hole because it 'passen' (fits).

Word Web

Kleidung Größe Termin Uhrzeit Fußball Karten spielen Schlüssel Harmonie

Défi

Try to use 'passen' in three different ways today: once for a piece of clothing, once for a time/appointment, and once for matching colors.

Origine du mot

Derived from the Middle High German 'passen', which came from the Old French 'passer' (to pass/step). It originally referred to pacing or measuring steps.

Sens originel : To step, to pace, or to measure by stepping.

Indo-European -> Germanic (via Romance influence).

Contexte culturel

No specific sensitivities, but 'Anpassung' can sometimes have a negative connotation of 'blindly following' in political contexts.

English speakers often use 'fit' for both size and looking good. In German, you must separate these into 'passen' and 'stehen'.

The fairy tale 'Aschenputtel' (Cinderella), where the shoe must 'passen'. German football commentary: 'Ein Pass in die Tiefe' (A pass into the depth). Common German proverb: 'Was nicht passt, wird passend gemacht' (What doesn't fit will be made to fit).

Pratique dans la vie réelle

Contextes réels

Shopping

Passt das?
Es passt nicht.
Haben Sie das eine Nummer größer?
Die Größe passt perfekt.

Appointments

Wann passt es Ihnen?
Das passt mir gut.
Leider passt mir das gar nicht.
Passt es morgen um zehn?

Home/DIY

Der Schrank passt hier nicht rein.
Der Schlüssel passt.
Der Deckel passt auf den Topf.
Das Teil passt genau.

Socializing

Wir passen gut zusammen.
Das passt schon.
Das passt zu dir.
Ich muss heute leider passen.

Sports

Pass den Ball!
Ein guter Pass.
Er hat den Moment verpasst.
Spiel ab!

Amorces de conversation

"Passt dir der Termin am nächsten Dienstag um 15 Uhr?"

"Welche Farbe passt deiner Meinung nach am besten zu diesem Hemd?"

"Meinst du, dieses Sofa passt in mein kleines Wohnzimmer?"

"Passt es dir, wenn wir heute Abend Pizza bestellen?"

"Glaubst du, dass diese beiden Leute wirklich gut zusammenpassen?"

Sujets d'écriture

Schreibe über einen Tag, an dem alles perfekt gepasst hat. Was ist passiert?

Welche Kleidung passt dir am besten und warum fühlst du dich darin wohl?

Beschreibe eine Situation, in der dir ein Termin gar nicht gepasst hat.

Welche Hobbys passen deiner Meinung nach gut zu deiner Persönlichkeit?

Gibt es etwas in deinem Leben, das gerade nicht 'ins Bild passt'?

Questions fréquentes

10 questions

When you are saying that something fits a person (e.g., 'It fits me'), yes, you must use the dative case ('mir'). However, if you are just saying 'The key fits,' no object is needed.

'Passen' refers to size and suitability (Does it fit your body? Does the time work?). 'Stehen' refers to appearance (Does it look good on you?). For example, a large hat might 'passen' (fit your head) but not 'stehen' (look good on you).

Yes, 'passen' is the standard verb for passing in football (soccer), basketball, etc. Example: 'Er passt den Ball zu seinem Mitspieler.'

It's a very common idiomatic expression meaning 'It's fine,' 'Don't worry about it,' or 'That will do.' It's used to accept a situation that might not be perfect but is acceptable.

You use the preposition 'zu'. 'Das passt zu meinen Schuhen.' Remember that 'zu' always takes the dative case.

Yes, 'passen' is a regular (weak) verb. Its forms are: passt, passte, hat gepasst.

No, 'to happen' is 'passieren'. This is a common false friend for English speakers because they look similar.

Simply say 'Ich passe.' This indicates you are skipping your turn or not bidding.

Literally 'like the fist on the eye.' It almost always means 'perfectly' in modern German, though it sounds like it should mean the opposite!

Yes, you can say 'Er passt auf die Stelle' (He fits the position) or 'Er passt ins Team' (He fits into the team).

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