⏱️ 2 min practice • 🔥 CEFR A1

passar

Regular -ar Level A1 ⭐ #18 Most Common

English translation: to pass / to spend (time) / to happen

Stem Pattern: Regular -ar / High idiomatic utility
💡 Key Usage Note: 'Passar tempo' = to spend time; 'O que se passa?' = What's happening / What's wrong?
📘 Linguistic Rule: Regular 1st conjugation verb with past participle 'passado'.
⚖️ Passar vs. Ficar
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Presente

Passing or spending time.

Subject Pronoun Conjugation Audio
eu passo
tu passas
ele / ela / você passa
nós passamos
vós passais
eles / elas / vocês passam
Example Sentences in Context
  • O tempo passa a voar. — Zaman uçup gidiyor.
💡 Tip: Click any row's audio button to hear native pronunciation
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AI Smart Tutor: 'PASSAR' Insights

Linguistic breakdowns & native shortcuts

Smart Tips
🧠 Memory Trick (Mnemonic)

Think of the 'passage' of time.

⚠️ Most Common Student Mistake
✗ Don't say: Eu gasto tempo com amigos.
✓ Say instead: Eu passo tempo com amigos.

Why: Spending time with people uses 'passar tempo', whereas 'gastar' is for money.

🗣️ Essential Native Idioms with 'passar'
O que se passa?

= What's going on? / What happened?

"Estás tão sério, o que se passa?"

🎴 Flashcard Practice Mode

Flip through pronouns to test active recall for 'passar'

1 / 12
Presente
eu

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Answer
passo

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Frequently Asked Questions: PASSAR

Is "passar" a regular or irregular verb in Portuguese? ▾

"passar" is classified as a Regular -ar verb in Portuguese. Its characteristic conjugation pattern is "Regular -ar / High idiomatic utility". Regular 1st conjugation verb with past participle 'passado'. 'Passar tempo' = to spend time; 'O que se passa?' = What's happening / What's wrong?

What does "passar" mean in English? ▾

In English, "passar" translates primarily to "to pass / to spend (time) / to happen". In natural speech, it is commonly used across CEFR level A1 contexts for everyday communication.

What is the most frequent mistake learners make with "passar"? ▾

A frequent error is saying "Eu gasto tempo com amigos." instead of "Eu passo tempo com amigos.". Why? Spending time with people uses 'passar tempo', whereas 'gastar' is for money.

What are common idioms or expressions with "passar"? ▾

A popular idiom is "O que se passa?" which means "What's going on? / What happened?" (e.g. "Estás tão sério, o que se passa?").

How can I practice and memorize "passar" conjugations? ▾

Use Verbpedia's built-in interactive flashcards, pronounce each form using native Web Speech audio, and complete the instant mini-quiz below. You can also print a distraction-free A4 cheat sheet using the Print button above.

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Quick Practice: Fill in the Blanks

Test your understanding of 'passar' across tenses

Interactive Quiz
Question 1 (Presente)

O que se ___ aqui?

Other Important Portuguese Verbs to Study

ser Irregular

to be (permanent / identity)

estar Irregular

to be (state, mood, location)

ter Irregular

to have / possess

ir Irregular

to go

fazer Irregular

to do / to make

dizer Irregular

to say / tell

ver Irregular

to see / watch

poder Irregular

can / to be able to

saber Irregular 2nd Conj

to know (facts, skills)

querer Irregular (-er)

to want / to love

vir Irregular Monosyllabic (-ir)

to come

falar Regular (-ar)

to speak / to talk

ouvir Irregular (-ir)

to hear / to listen

trazer Highly Irregular

to bring

pedir Irregular (d -> ç in 1st person)

to ask for / to order / to request

sentir Stem-Changing (e -> i)

to feel / to regret / to hear

ficar Regular with spelling change (c -> qu)

to stay / to remain / to become / to be located

dormir Stem-changing verb

to sleep

abrir Irregular Participle

to open / to unlock

chegar Orthographic Irregular

to arrive / to reach

levar Regular -ar

to take / to carry / to take away

subir Stem-changing (-ir)

to go up / to climb / to rise

descer Irregular (-cer)

to go down / to descend

escrever Irregular Participle

to write

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