Understanding the Core Meaning of “Passar”
At its core, “passar” means “to pass,” but this basic definition expands into a wide range of uses. It can refer to physically passing by or through something, the passage of time, transferring objects, and even more abstract concepts like experiencing events or succeeding in something.
Using “Passar” for Movement and Physical Actions
Passing By or Through
One of the most direct uses of “passar” is to indicate moving past or through a place:
- Eu passo pela praça todos os dias. (I pass through the square every day.)
- Você pode passar aqui amanhã? (Can you come by here tomorrow?)
Handing or Giving Something
When you want to ask someone to hand you something, “passar” is the verb to use:
- Pode me passar o sal, por favor? (Can you pass me the salt, please?)
Expressing the Passage of Time
“Passar” is often used to talk about time moving forward:
- O tempo passa rápido. (Time passes quickly.)
- Já passou uma semana desde que chegamos. (It’s already been a week since we arrived.)
Describing Experiences and Events
This verb can also be used to describe experiencing situations or events:
- Ela passou por momentos difíceis. (She went through difficult times.)
- Passamos um ótimo final de semana na praia. (We had a great weekend at the beach.)
Indicating Success or Approval
In educational or formal contexts, “passar” means to pass a test or to be approved:
- Ele passou no exame. (He passed the exam.)
- Você precisa passar na entrevista para conseguir o emprego. (You need to pass the interview to get the job.)
Other Common Uses of “Passar”
Cooking and Household Contexts
- Passar roupa (to iron clothes)
- Passar manteiga no pão (to spread butter on bread)
Communication and Media
- O filme vai passar na televisão hoje. (The movie will be on TV today.)
- Vou passar seu recado para ele. (I’ll pass your message to him.)
Using “Passar” with Reflexive and Prepositional Forms
Portuguese often uses “passar” reflexively or with prepositions to change its meaning:
- Passar-se: Used to indicate something happened (e.g., O que se passou aqui? – What happened here?)
- Passar por: To go through or experience (e.g., Ela passou por uma cirurgia. – She underwent surgery.)
- Passar a: To start doing something (e.g., Depois da reunião, passamos a trabalhar juntos. – After the meeting, we started working together.)
Tips for Mastering “Passar” in Everyday Portuguese
- Pay attention to the prepositions that follow “passar” as they often define its meaning.
- Practice with real-life examples, such as those found in Talkpal’s AI-powered language lessons.
- Listen to native speakers and note how “passar” is used in different contexts.
- Try using “passar” in conversation to reinforce your learning.
Conclusion
Mastering the verb “passar” is essential for anyone learning Portuguese, as it appears in countless everyday situations. Whether you’re talking about movement, time, experiences, or success, understanding how to use “passar” will make your communication smoother and more idiomatic. For more tips on verbs and practical examples, explore the resources at Talkpal, your AI-powered language learning companion.
