What does passé in French mean?

What is the meaning of the word passé in French? The article explains the full meaning, pronunciation along with bilingual examples and instructions on how to use passé in French.

The word passé in French means past, past, history, past, past, history, past tense, past, last, faded, dull, after, pass, pass, time, period, moment, trick, master key, pass, channel, pass, passage, pathway, trail, pass, come, go, drop by, drop in, stop by, pop in, pop by, go to 's house, come to 's house, pass, pass, come, go, pass, move up, go into, be passed, become, go from to, be acceptable, be admissible, be played, be heard, fade, filter, pass, pass, pass, give, pass, put on, put on the line, run, put on, take, engage, put on, be past, spend, have, drain, take place, happen, occur, go, pass, do without , go without, spare, pass, go, go through, go through, go from to, go from to, skip, allow everything, pass over, go through, belong in the past, be outdated, be outmoded, be obsolete, after + [present participle], after + [present participle], after + [present participle], wait for to blow over, be too old, It's all in the past, How time flies!, that was just what was needed, I sure needed that, It's make or break, that needs no , it needs no, hotel room used by prostitutes, How did it go?, How is going?, past conditional, cut your ties with the past, in the past, to name but a few, be on a winning streak, be in a tricky situation, be in a difficult situation, be poised to do , be on track to do, be on the point of doing , be about to do, be caught up by past events, be caught up by your past, time-based billing, invoice for time spent, behave as if nothing happened, act as if nothing happened, make a clean break with the past, pass, turn a trick, make a decisive pass, bandpass filter, low-pass filter, short-time hotel, kids will be kids, not a day goes by without + [noun + present participle], something is happening, past imperative, and so on and so forth, it is a bitter pill to swallow, not get along well, not get on well, it's going well, things are going well, looks like it's past someone's bedtime, message received, the worst is over, bad spell, rough patch, password, password, speak about in the past tense, speak of in the past tense, past participle, fishway, fish passage, pass it on, past anterior, perfect tense, compound past, sparring, Have a good holiday!, Enjoy your holiday!, passé, outdated, outmoded, out of fashion, assist, be alright, be OK, distant past, reef pass, past historic, On your way!, low-pass filter, privilege, needle threader, cable threader, bodkin, carry handle, ski mask, balaclava, master key, skeleton key, unremarkable, mount, picture mount, mount card, two-man saw, filler, filler item, serving hatch, hobby, pastime, tea strainer, What's going on?, What's going on?, rewrite the past, relic of the past, cling to the past, sleight of hand, sleight of hand, everything went well, We tried everything, go through a bad spell, go through a rough patch, And then there was silence!, vestige of the past, vestige of the past, relic of the past. To learn more, please see the details below.

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Meaning of the word passé

past

nom masculin (période avant le présent) (period)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Ça ne sert à rien de vivre dans le passé.
Living in the past is pointless.

past, history

nom masculin (événements qui se sont déroulés) (events)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Participer à une visite guidée, permet d'apprendre le passé de la ville.

past

nom masculin (ensemble de souvenirs)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Souvent, les personnes âgées vivent dans le passé.

past, history

nom masculin (histoire personnelle) (personal)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Ce criminel a un lourd passé.

past tense, past

nom masculin (Grammaire) (Grammar)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Mettez cette phrase au passé au présent.

last

adjectif (relatif à une période écoulée)

(adjective: Describes a noun or pronoun--for example, "a tall girl," "an interesting book," "a big house.")
La semaine passée, il a fait chaud tous les jours.

faded

adjectif (qui a perdu de son éclat)

(adjective: Describes a noun or pronoun--for example, "a tall girl," "an interesting book," "a big house.")
Après plusieurs lavages, les couleurs sont passées.

dull

adjectif (terne)

(adjective: Describes a noun or pronoun--for example, "a tall girl," "an interesting book," "a big house.")
À force de le laver, les couleurs de ce tricot sont passées.

after

préposition (après) (future time)

(adverb: Describes a verb, adjective, adverb, or clause--for example, "come quickly," "very rare," "happening now," "fall down.")
Passé 10 heures, il ne reste plus grand-chose d'intéressant au marché.
Gone 10 am, all the good stuff at the market has been sold.

pass

nom féminin (Sports : transmission de ballon) (Sports)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Ce demi d'ouverture fait toujours des passes millimétrées.
That fly-half always makes very precise passes.

pass

nom féminin (exécution d'un mouvement) (movement)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Il faut plusieurs passes pour réaliser ce genre de tapisserie.
It takes several passes to produce this kind of tapestry.

time, period, moment

nom féminin (moment, période)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Elle traverse une mauvaise passe en ce moment.
She is going through a rough time at the moment.

trick

nom féminin (familier (acte sexuel entre une prostituée et un client) (informal)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Cette prostituée fait une dizaine de passes par soir.
The prostitute turns ten or so tricks a night.

master key

nom masculin (familier (passe-partout)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Les gardiens ont toujours un passe sur eux.
The guards always have a master key on them.

pass

nom masculin (familier (sauf-conduit)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Durant la guerre, il avait un passe pour circuler.
During the war, he had a pass so he could move around.

channel

nom féminin (passage navigable) (navigation)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Pour rentrer au port à marée basse, il faut connaître les passes.
To get into the port at low tide, you need to know the channels.

pass

nom féminin (Informatique : passage dans un programme)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Il a fallu trois passes pour sélectionner les données intéressantes.
Three passes were needed to select the interesting data.

passage, pathway, trail

nom féminin (vieilli (passage du gibier)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Ce vieux chasseur connaît toutes les passes du gibier dans cette forêt.
The old hunter knows all the pathways used by game in this forest.

pass

verbe intransitif (se déplacer) (passing a point)

(intransitive verb: Verb not taking a direct object--for example, "She jokes." "He has arrived.")
L'avion est passé au ras des maisons. Le vieil homme se mettait à sa fenêtre et comptait les voitures qui passaient. Ce chemin est dangereux : passe derrière moi.
This path is dangerous; go behind me.

come

verbe intransitif (aller, venir)

(intransitive verb: Verb not taking a direct object--for example, "She jokes." "He has arrived.")
Le bus devrait passer vers 8 h.
The bus should come at around 8 am.

go

verbe intransitif (aller rapidement)

(intransitive verb: Verb not taking a direct object--for example, "She jokes." "He has arrived.")
Attends, je passe aux toilettes et j'arrive.

drop by, drop in, stop by, pop in, pop by

verbe intransitif (rendre visite à [qqn]) (informal)

(phrasal verb, intransitive: Verb with adverb(s) or preposition(s), having special meaning and not taking direct object--for example, "make up" [=reconcile]: "After they fought, they made up.")
Si tu es dans le coin, n'hésite pas à passer : ça nous ferait plaisir de te revoir ! Julie a dit qu'elle avait du travail mais qu'elle essaierait de passer quand même.
Julie said she had work to do but that she would try to call in anyway.

go to 's house, come to 's house

(rendre visite à [qqn])

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
Je passe chez ma voisine tous les samedis pour prendre le thé et discuter. Est-ce que tu pourrais passer chez le boulanger et me prendre une baguette, s'il te plaît ?
Could you stop by the baker's and get me a baguette, please?

pass

verbe intransitif (avoir son tracé quelque part)

(intransitive verb: Verb not taking a direct object--for example, "She jokes." "He has arrived.")
La rivière passe devant la maison. La nouvelle rocade devrait passer pas loin de chez nous.
The river flows past the house.

pass, come

verbe intransitif (traverser)

(intransitive verb: Verb not taking a direct object--for example, "She jokes." "He has arrived.")
La lumière ne passe pas à travers ces feuillages épais.
No light passes through this thick foliage.

go, pass

verbe intransitif (temps : s'écouler)

(intransitive verb: Verb not taking a direct object--for example, "She jokes." "He has arrived.")
Le temps passe lentement quand je vais manger chez mes grands-parents.
Time goes slowly when I have dinner at my grandparents'.

move up

verbe intransitif (être admis)

Mon fils ne passera pas dans la classe supérieure.
My son isn't going to move up into the next class.

go into

(être admis en classe de)

Notre fils passe en troisième cette année.

be passed

verbe intransitif (être accepté, voté)

Cette nouvelle loi ne passera pas.
This new law won't be passed.

become

verbe intransitif (devenir)

(intransitive verb: Verb not taking a direct object--for example, "She jokes." "He has arrived.")
Cet adjudant est passé sous-lieutenant l'année dernière.
The sergeant major became a sub-lieutenant last year.

go from to

(évoluer d'une situation à une autre)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
Mon frère est passé de lieutenant à commandant en deux ans.

be acceptable, be admissible

verbe intransitif (être acceptable)

Une erreur, ça passe, deux c'est déjà beaucoup.
One mistake is acceptable; two is too many.

be played, be heard

verbe intransitif (être diffusé) (audio)

Cette chanson passe souvent à la radio. Mon frère est passé à la télé. Ce feuilleton qui passait en début d'après-midi en semaine était plutôt destiné aux retraités.
That crime series that was on in the early afternoon was primarily aimed at retired people.

fade

verbe intransitif (s'altérer) (colours)

(intransitive verb: Verb not taking a direct object--for example, "She jokes." "He has arrived.")
À force d'être lavées, les couleurs passent.
Colours fade through being washed.

filter

verbe intransitif (liquide : s'écouler)

(intransitive verb: Verb not taking a direct object--for example, "She jokes." "He has arrived.")
Il faut attendre, le café n'a pas fini de passer.
Wait. The coffee hasn't finished filtering yet.

pass

verbe intransitif (douleur,... : disparaître)

(intransitive verb: Verb not taking a direct object--for example, "She jokes." "He has arrived.")
Je sais que tu souffres : mais ne t'en fais pas, ça va passer !
I know you are hurting, but don't worry; it will pass.

pass

(être moins présent)

(intransitive verb: Verb not taking a direct object--for example, "She jokes." "He has arrived.")
Mon fils aime faire la fête : j'espère qu'avec l'âge, ça lui passera. À un moment, mon fils aimait taper ses petits camarades mais heureusement, ça lui est passé.
My son loves partying; I hope it will pass as he gets older. There was a time that my son liked hitting his classmates, but luckily it passed.

pass

(donner)

(transitive verb: Verb taking a direct object--for example, "Say something." "She found the cat.")
Passe-moi le sel, s'il te plaît.
Pass me the salt please.

give

(transmettre)

(transitive verb: Verb taking a direct object--for example, "Say something." "She found the cat.")
Pierre m'a passé sa grippe. Julie a passé ses microbes à son fils.
Julie passed her germs onto her son.

pass

verbe transitif (franchir un obstacle)

(transitive verb: Verb taking a direct object--for example, "Say something." "She found the cat.")
Nous avons passé la douane sans problème.
We got through customs without a problem.

put on, put on the line

(transmettre un appel à [qqn])

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
Ne quittez pas, je vous passe mon responsable. // Salut David. Tu peux me passer ta femme, s'il te plaît ?
Hold on. I'm putting you through to my supervisor.

run

verbe transitif (faire aller)

(transitive verb: Verb taking a direct object--for example, "Say something." "She found the cat.")
Olivier a passé sa main dans ses cheveux pour les remettre en place.

put on

verbe transitif (mettre : un vêtement) (clothing)

(phrasal verb, transitive, separable: Verb with adverb(s) or preposition(s), having special meaning, divisible--for example, "call off" [=cancel], "call the game off," "call off the game.")
Je passe un manteau pour sortir.
I put on a coat before going out.

take

verbe transitif (se soumettre à : un examen)

(transitive verb: Verb taking a direct object--for example, "Say something." "She found the cat.")
La semaine prochaine, je passe mon permis. Mon fils passe son bac la semaine prochaine.
My son is sitting his baccalaureate next week.

engage

verbe transitif (enclencher)

(transitive verb: Verb taking a direct object--for example, "Say something." "She found the cat.")
Passe la troisième ! J'ai passé la marche arrière et j'ai reculé.
I put the car into reverse and backed up.

put on

verbe transitif (diffuser)

(phrasal verb, transitive, separable: Verb with adverb(s) or preposition(s), having special meaning, divisible--for example, "call off" [=cancel], "call the game off," "call off the game.")
Pendant le dîner, j'ai passé un disque de jazz. Sur la 1, ils passent mon film préféré !
They're showing my favourite film on channel 1!

be past

verbe transitif (dépasser une limite)

Tu as passé l'âge de jouer au petit train.
You are past the age of playing with toy trains.

spend

verbe transitif (du temps)

(transitive verb: Verb taking a direct object--for example, "Say something." "She found the cat.")
J'aime passer du temps avec mon petit frère. J'ai passé 2 heures à faire mon devoir de maths.
I love spending time with my little brother. I spent two hours doing my maths homework.

have

verbe transitif (temps : avoir)

(transitive verb: Verb taking a direct object--for example, "Say something." "She found the cat.")
Tu as passé une bonne journée ? J'ai passé un super week-end avec ma copine !
I spent a lovely weekend with my girlfriend.

drain

verbe transitif (enlever l'eau)

(transitive verb: Verb taking a direct object--for example, "Say something." "She found the cat.")
J'ai passé les pâtes : on peut les servir.
I have drained the pasta, now we can eat!

take place

verbe pronominal (se dérouler)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
Ce roman se passe en Italie au Moyen Âge.
This book takes place in Italy in the Middle Ages.

happen, occur

verbe pronominal (arriver, se produire)

(intransitive verb: Verb not taking a direct object--for example, "She jokes." "He has arrived.")
Il ne se passe jamais rien d'intéressant dans cette petite ville.
Nothing interesting ever happens in this small town.

go

verbe pronominal (se faire)

(intransitive verb: Verb not taking a direct object--for example, "She jokes." "He has arrived.")
Ton voyage s'est bien passé ? Alors, comment s'est passé ta mission en Irlande ?

pass

verbe pronominal (s'écouler)

(intransitive verb: Verb not taking a direct object--for example, "She jokes." "He has arrived.")
Deux mois se sont passés depuis notre dernière rencontre.
Two months have passed since our last meeting.

do without , go without

(faire sans [qch])

(phrasal verb, transitive, separable: Verb with adverb(s) or preposition(s), having special meaning, divisible--for example, "call off" [=cancel], "call the game off," "call off the game.")
Si je le devais, je pourrais très bien me passer de chocolat.
If I had to, I could go without chocolate.

spare

(figuré (omettre, ne pas mentionner)

(transitive verb: Verb taking a direct object--for example, "Say something." "She found the cat.")
Je te passerai les dernières péripéties de ton frère, ça vaut mieux.
I will spare you your brother's most recent antics; it's better that way.

pass

verbe intransitif (jeu : laisser son tour)

(intransitive verb: Verb not taking a direct object--for example, "She jokes." "He has arrived.")
C'est mon tour mais comme je ne peux pas jouer de cartes, je vais passer. - Qui fut le quatrième Président des États-Unis ? - Je passe.
"Who was the fourth President of the United States?" "Pass."

go

verbe intransitif (se trouver)

(intransitive verb: Verb not taking a direct object--for example, "She jokes." "He has arrived.")
Mais où sont passées mes clefs ? Je ne vois plus Nina. Où a-t-elle bien pu passer ?
Where have my keys got to?

go through

(faire un détour par un endroit)

Quand je descends dans le Sud, je passe toujours par Clermont-Ferrand. Pour notre voyage en Asie, nous passons par Amsterdam. Je suis passée par la maison récupérer quelques affaires.
I stopped by the house to pick up some things.

go through

(être animé par [qch])

En attendant ses résultats, l'étudiante est passée par toutes les émotions possibles.
While waiting for her results, the student went through every possible emotion.

go from to

(changer d'état)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
Mon frère peut passer de la joie à la colère en quelques secondes.
My brother can go from joy to anger in a few seconds.

go from to

(alterner)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
Ce don Juan passe d'une femme à l'autre en quelques jours seulement.
This Lothario moves from one woman to another after just a few days.

skip

verbe transitif (omettre) (informal)

(transitive verb: Verb taking a direct object--for example, "Say something." "She found the cat.")
J'ai trouvé ce roman tellement indigeste que j'ai carrément passé plusieurs chapitres. Écrivez le titre, passez une ligne puis notez la suite.

allow everything

(permettre [qch] à [qqn])

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
Mes enfants passent tout à leur petit dernier, c'est insupportable.
My children allow their youngest everything; it's insufferable.

pass over

verbe transitif indirect (familier (pardonner)

(phrasal verb, transitive, inseparable: Verb with adverb(s) or preposition(s), having special meaning, not divisible--for example,"go with" [=combine nicely]: "Those red shoes don't go with my dress." NOT [S]"Those red shoes don't go my dress with."[/S])
Je ne peux pas passer sur cette faute, je dois sévir !
I can't pass over this mistake; I'll have to crack down!

go through

verbe transitif indirect (avoir recours à [qqn]) (figurative)

Pour cette demande, vous passerez par Monsieur le maire.

belong in the past

locution verbale (être terminé, clos)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

be outdated, be outmoded, be obsolete

locution verbale (être démodé)

after + [present participle]

(après la fin d'une action)

(preposition: Relates noun or pronoun to another element of sentence--for example, "a picture of John," "She walked from my house to yours.")
Après avoir fini ses devoirs, Mathieu a pu aller s'amuser avec ses copains. // Après avoir poncé son abri de jardin, Audrey pourra le revernir.
When (or: once) she has sanded her shed, Audrey will be able to revarnish it.

after + [present participle]

(après la fin d'un état)

(preposition: Relates noun or pronoun to another element of sentence--for example, "a picture of John," "She walked from my house to yours.")
Après être sortie du labyrinthe, Nathalie a crié victoire !
When she found her way out of the labyrinth, Nathalie claimed victory!

after + [present participle]

(après la fin d'un état passif)

(preposition: Relates noun or pronoun to another element of sentence--for example, "a picture of John," "She walked from my house to yours.")
Après avoir été malade une semaine, Émilie a commencé à se sentir mieux. // Après avoir été critiqué dans un premier temps, Laurent a été félicité.
After she had been sick for a week, Emily began feeling better.

wait for to blow over

locution verbale (espérer un retour au calme)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

be too old

locution verbale (être trop âgé pour)

Sortir en boîte le samedi soir jusqu'au petit matin et enchaîner avec un match de foot : merci, mais j'ai passé l'âge. Nous avons passé l'âge de faire du camping sauvage.

It's all in the past

(L'histoire est réglée, n'en parlons plus)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

How time flies!

(comme les temps changent)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")
Il est déjà minuit ? C'est fou comme le temps passe vite ! De jeune mariée à bientôt jeune grand-mère, c'est fou comme le temps passe vite !
From young bride to soon-to-be young grandmother; Where does the time go?

that was just what was needed, I sure needed that

(familier (manger : expression de contentement) (colloquial)

It's make or break

(familier (exprime une action au résultat aléatoire)

that needs no , it needs no

(familier (ça ne nécessite pas de [qch])

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

hotel room used by prostitutes

nom féminin (chambre de prostituée)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

How did it go?

(Qu'est-ce que ça a donné ?)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")
Alors ton oral, comment ça s'est passé ?

How is going?

(Que donne ... ?)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")
Comment se passe ton nouveau travail ?
How is your new job going?

past conditional

nom masculin (temps verbal)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

cut your ties with the past

locution verbale (ne plus avoir de relation avec)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

in the past

locution adverbiale (autrefois)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

to name but a few

(et je ne dis pas tout)

be on a winning streak

locution verbale (être dans une période favorable)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
Olivier est dans une bonne passe, il gagne tous ses matches.

be in a tricky situation, be in a difficult situation

locution verbale (être dans une situation fâcheuse)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
Les super héros sont souvent dans des mauvaises passes mais finissent toujours par s'en sortir.

be poised to do , be on track to do

locution verbale (être sur le point de faire [qch])

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
Cette année, notre équipe est en passe de réussir le doublé coupe et championnat.

be on the point of doing , be about to do

locution verbale (être sur le point de)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

be caught up by past events, be caught up by your past

locution verbale (voir son histoire ressurgir)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

time-based billing

nom féminin (tarification à la durée)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

invoice for time spent

locution verbale (faire payer en fonction du temps passé)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

behave as if nothing happened, act as if nothing happened

locution verbale (ignorer volontairement les faits)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
Quand j'ai revu Romain après l'incident, il a fait comme si rien ne s'était passé.

make a clean break with the past

locution verbale (repartir à zéro)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
Les belligérants ont décidé de faire table rase du passé, 3 ans après la guerre.

pass

locution verbale (passer le ballon à un coéquipier)

(intransitive verb: Verb not taking a direct object--for example, "She jokes." "He has arrived.")

turn a trick

locution verbale (prostitution : s'affairer avec un client) (slang: prostitution)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

make a decisive pass

locution verbale (passer le ballon à un buteur)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
L'ailier fit une passe décisive vers le centre.

bandpass filter

nom masculin (électronique : filtre sélectif)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

low-pass filter

nom masculin (électronique : filtre basse fréquence)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

short-time hotel

nom masculin (hôtel ou officient des prostituées)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

kids will be kids

(le temps assagira les jeunes)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

not a day goes by without + [noun + present participle]

(c'est quotidien)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")
ⓘCette phrase n'est pas une traduction de la phrase originale. This stretch of road is really dangerous. Not a day goes by without an accident occurring.

something is happening

(quelque chose d'inhabituel se déroule)

past imperative

nom masculin (temps de conjugaison)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

and so on and so forth

(et ce n'est pas tout)

it is a bitter pill to swallow

(avoir du mal à accepter [qch])

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")
Il a beau avoir pris des gants, la pilule passe mal !

not get along well, not get on well

(figuré (il y a incompatibilité d'humeur) (personal construction)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
Alain a changé de travail car le courant ne passait pas avec son nouveau chef.
Alan changed his job as he didn't get on well with his new boss.

it's going well, things are going well

(tout se passe bien)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")
Le courant passe bien avec notre nouvelle collègue.

looks like it's past someone's bedtime

(il est temps d'aller se coucher) (to tired children or humorous)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

message received

(bien compris)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

the worst is over

(ça va s'améliorer)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

bad spell, rough patch

nom féminin (moment difficile) (informal)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
C'est une mauvaise passe, ça finira par s'arranger !

password

nom masculin (mot sécurisant un accès)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Les comptes internet sont accessibles par mot de passe.

password

nom masculin (mot donnant accès à [qch])

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Le messager annonça le mot de passe pour pénétrer dans le château.

speak about in the past tense, speak of in the past tense

locution verbale (parler de [qch] considéré comme révolu)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
J'ai compris que le mari de ma voisine était mort quand j'ai entendu cette dernière parler de lui au passé.

past participle

nom masculin (forme verbale pour temps composés)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Les élèves recherchent les participes passés dans ce texte.

fishway, fish passage

nom féminin (sorte d'escalier pour poissons)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Les barrages sont équipés de passes à poissons.

pass it on

locution verbale (donne ça à ton voisin !)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
Prends la moutarde et passe à ton voisin !

past anterior

nom masculin (temps du futur dans le passé)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

perfect tense, compound past

nom masculin (temps verbal composé)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Mettez cette phrase au présent au passé composé.

sparring

nom féminin (figuré (échange énergique)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

Have a good holiday!, Enjoy your holiday!

interjection (souhait de bonnes vacances) (UK)

(interjection: Exclamation--for example, "Oh no!" "Wow!")
Tu pars aux Seychelles ? Eh bien, passe de bonnes vacances !

passé, outdated, outmoded, out of fashion

locution adjectivale (péjoratif (plus à la mode)

(adjective: Describes a noun or pronoun--for example, "a tall girl," "an interesting book," "a big house.")

assist

nom féminin (sport : passe précédant un but)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Cette passe décisive permit l'égalisation.

be alright, be OK

(c'est limite acceptable)

Closing the pubs at 11 is alright, but closing the clubs too is asking too much.

distant past

nom masculin (événements très vieux)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

reef pass

nom féminin (ouverture dans un récif)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Une passe récifale permet une communication entre les eaux d'un lagon et l'océan.

past historic

nom masculin (temps verbal des récits) (French verb tense)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
En français, le passé simple est beaucoup plus courant à l'écrit qu'à l'oral. // Mes élèves ont du mal à conjuguer au passé simple en espagnol.

On your way!

interjection (adresse-toi ailleurs)

(interjection: Exclamation--for example, "Oh no!" "Wow!")

low-pass filter

nom masculin (filtre de fréquences)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
En musique, un filtre passe-bas laissera entendre les graves.

privilege

nom masculin (faveur accordée)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
il y a trop de passe-droits sous ce gouvernement.

needle threader

nom masculin (Couture : aiguille crochetée) (object passing)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
La couturière utilise un passe-fil pour faire passer son fil dans les mailles qui l'intéressent.

cable threader

nom masculin (Électricité : câble fin à tirer)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Le passe-fil aide l'électricien à faire passer des câbles rigides dans les gaines.

bodkin

nom masculin (sorte d'aiguille rigide)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Avec ce genre de lacets fantaisie, tu as intérêt à utiliser un passe-lacet.

carry handle

nom masculin (poignée souple de sac) (on bag, case)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Les sac-à-main féminins sont souvent dotés de passe-main.

ski mask, balaclava

nom masculin (cagoule) (headwear)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Les alpinistes portent un passe-montagne pour se protéger du vent.

master key, skeleton key

nom masculin invariable (clé ouvrant plusieurs serrures)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Le serrurier a ouvert avec un passe-partout.

unremarkable

adjectif invariable (banal, qui s'accorde avec tout)

(adjective: Describes a noun or pronoun--for example, "a tall girl," "an interesting book," "a big house.")
Cet acteur a un physique passe-partout.

mount, picture mount, mount card

nom masculin invariable (bordure de photo,...)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Les photos sont mises en valeur avec ce passe-partout.

two-man saw

nom masculin invariable (scie pour 2 personnes)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Les bûcherons s’attaquèrent à cet arbre avec leur passe-partout.

filler, filler item

nom masculin invariable (petit texte pour combler)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Le rédacteur-en-chef ajouta un passe-partout pour finir sa mise en page.

serving hatch

nom masculin (ouverture dans une cloison)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Le passe-plat permet de faire passer les plats de la cuisine à la salle à manger.

hobby, pastime

nom masculin invariable (hobby, violon d'Ingres)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Mon passe-temps, c'est le modélisme.
My hobby is model-making.

tea strainer

nom masculin invariable (petite passoire)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Elle utilise un passe-thé et non des sachets !

What's going on?

(Qu'y a-t-il d'inhabituel ?)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

What's going on?

(Qu'y a-t-il ?)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

rewrite the past

verbe intransitif (recommencer) (figurative)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

relic of the past

nom féminin (objet obsolète)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

cling to the past

(être angoissé par l'avenir)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

sleight of hand

nom masculin (tour d'adresse) (uncountable)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Par un tour de passe-passe le magicien sort le lapin du chapeau.

sleight of hand

nom masculin (figuré (tromperie habile) (figurative)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

everything went well

(il n'y a pas eu de problème)

We tried everything

(tout a été utilisé comme argument)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")
Tout y est passé mais le directeur a rejeté notre demande.

go through a bad spell, go through a rough patch

locution verbale (cumuler les ennuis) (informal)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
Elle traverse une mauvaise passe depuis la mort de sa mère.

And then there was silence!

(plus personne ne dit mot)

vestige of the past

nom masculin (ruine)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

vestige of the past, relic of the past

nom masculin (relique)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

Let's learn French

So now that you know more about the meaning of passé in French, you can learn how to use them through selected examples and how to read them. And remember to learn the related words that we suggest. Our website is constantly updating with new words and new examples so you can look up the meanings of other words you don't know in French.

Related words of passé

Do you know about French

French (le français) is a Romance language. Like Italian, Portuguese, and Spanish, it comes from popular Latin, once used in the Roman Empire. A French-speaking person or country can be called a "Francophone". French is the official language in 29 countries. French is the fourth most spoken native language in the European Union. French ranks third in the EU, after English and German, and is the second most widely taught language after English. The majority of the world's French-speaking population lives in Africa, with about 141 million Africans from 34 countries and territories who can speak French as a first or second language. French is the second most widely spoken language in Canada, after English, and both are official languages at the federal level. It is the first language of 9.5 million people or 29% and the second language of 2.07 million people or 6% of the entire population of Canada. In contrast to other continents, French has no popularity in Asia. Currently, no country in Asia recognizes French as an official language.