Meaning
To enjoy oneself and have a pleasant experience.
Cultural Background
In Spain, 'pasarlo bien' is often associated with 'la marcha' (the nightlife) and 'el tapeo'. It's common to hear it at the end of a night out as a summary of the experience. Mexicans almost exclusively use 'pasarla bien'. Using 'lo' will mark you immediately as a Spaniard or a textbook learner. It's often used in the context of 'convivir' (spending time together). In Argentina, you'll hear 'pasarla bien' or 'pasarla joya' (joya = jewel/great). The focus is often on the 'asado' or social gathering with friends ('amigotes'). Colombians use 'pasarla bien' or 'pasarla bacano'. It's a very common expression in the coffee region and Medellín to describe social outings.
The 'Lo' vs 'La' Rule
If you are in Spain, use 'lo'. If you are in the Americas, use 'la'. You will sound much more like a local!
Avoid 'Tener'
Never use 'tener' with 'buen tiempo' to mean having fun. It's the most obvious sign of an English speaker.
Meaning
To enjoy oneself and have a pleasant experience.
The 'Lo' vs 'La' Rule
If you are in Spain, use 'lo'. If you are in the Americas, use 'la'. You will sound much more like a local!
Avoid 'Tener'
Never use 'tener' with 'buen tiempo' to mean having fun. It's the most obvious sign of an English speaker.
Add Intensity
Replace 'bien' with 'genial', 'de maravilla', or 'bomba' to show you really had an amazing time.
Test Yourself
Fill in the blank with the correct form of 'pasarlo bien' in the preterite (past).
Ayer en la fiesta, nosotros ______ muy ______.
In the past (preterite), 'nosotros' form is 'lo pasamos'. We use 'bien' because it's an adverb.
Which sentence is correct for someone in Mexico?
How would a Mexican person typically say 'I had a good time'?
In Latin America, 'pasarla bien' (using 'la') is the standard variation.
Complete the dialogue with the most natural response.
Juan: 'Me voy de vacaciones a la playa.' María: '¡Qué bien! ¡_______!'
'¡Pásalo bien!' is the standard imperative form for wishing someone a good time.
Match the phrase to the intensity.
Match 'Lo pasamos bomba' with its meaning.
'Pasarlo bomba' is an idiomatic way to say you had an exceptionally good time.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Pasarlo vs. Tener
Practice Bank
4 exercisesAyer en la fiesta, nosotros ______ muy ______.
In the past (preterite), 'nosotros' form is 'lo pasamos'. We use 'bien' because it's an adverb.
How would a Mexican person typically say 'I had a good time'?
In Latin America, 'pasarla bien' (using 'la') is the standard variation.
Juan: 'Me voy de vacaciones a la playa.' María: '¡Qué bien! ¡_______!'
'¡Pásalo bien!' is the standard imperative form for wishing someone a good time.
Match 'Lo pasamos bomba' with its meaning.
'Pasarlo bomba' is an idiomatic way to say you had an exceptionally good time.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
8 questionsYes! Adding 'muy' is the most common way to say you had a *very* good time.
It's a bit casual. Better to say 'Disfruté mucho de mi anterior etapa profesional'.
'Lo' is the neuter pronoun used for abstract concepts. 'El' is only for masculine nouns.
'Divertirse' is a verb meaning 'to have fun'. 'Pasarlo bien' is an idiom meaning 'to have a good time'. They are mostly interchangeable, but 'pasarlo bien' is more common in speech.
Yes. In Spain, 'lo' remains 'lo' because it's neuter. In LatAm, you would say 'la pasamos bien'. It doesn't change based on the gender of the people.
Use the subjunctive: 'Espero que lo pases bien'.
Not at all! It just means 'to have a blast'. It's very common and friendly.
Yes. 'Lo pasé bien leyendo el libro' is perfectly fine.
Related Phrases
Divertirse
synonymTo have fun / to amuse oneself.
Pasarlo mal
contrastTo have a hard/bad time.
Disfrutar
similarTo enjoy.
Pasarlo bomba
specialized formTo have a blast.
Gozar
similarTo enjoy intensely.
