Introduction
The verb passer is a versatile verb in French, commonly used to express the passage of time, movement, or transitions.
Conjugation of Passer
Present Tense
| Person | Conjugation |
|---|---|
| Je | passe |
| Tu | passes |
| Il/Elle/On | passe |
| Nous | passons |
| Vous | passez |
| Ils/Elles | passent |
Imperfect Tense
| Person | Conjugation |
|---|---|
| Je | passais |
| Tu | passais |
| Il/Elle/On | passait |
| Nous | passions |
| Vous | passiez |
| Ils/Elles | passaient |
Past Participle
- passé
Usage of Passer
1. Passing Time
- Present: "Je passe mon temps à lire."
I spend my time reading.
- Imperfect: "Il passait ses étés à la plage."
He spent his summers at the beach.
- Past Participle: "J'ai passé la journée avec des amis."
I spent the day with friends.
2. Movement or Transition
- Present: "Elle passe devant la maison tous les jours."
She passes by the house every day.
- Imperfect: "Nous passions par ce chemin autrefois."
We used to go by this path.
- Past Participle: "Ils sont passés par le parc."
They went through the park.
3. Other Common Uses
- "Le temps passe vite."
Time goes by quickly.
- "Il m’a passé le sel."
He passed me the salt.
Examples in Sentences
- Present: "Je passe l'examen aujourd'hui."
I'm taking the exam today.
- Imperfect: "Elle passait souvent chez moi après l'école."
She often stopped by my house after school.
- Past Participle: "Nous avons passé un bon weekend."
We had a great weekend.
Conclusion
Passer is an essential verb in French, useful for describing how time flows, how people move, and many other everyday situations.