demais passar tempo
to spend time
Littéralement: to pass time
Use `passar tempo` for any activity involving the clock, except when spending money.
En 15 secondes
- Used to describe how you occupy your hours or days.
- Equivalent to 'spending time' but uses the verb 'to pass'.
- Never use it for money; that requires the verb 'gastar'.
Signification
This phrase is used to talk about the act of spending or passing time in a specific way or place. It is the most natural way to describe hanging out or occupying your hours.
Exemples clés
3 sur 6Texting a friend about the weekend
Eu amo passar tempo com você no parque.
I love spending time with you at the park.
In a job interview
No meu tempo livre, costumo passar tempo lendo livros técnicos.
In my free time, I usually spend time reading technical books.
Complaining about a long wait
Estou aqui apenas passando tempo até o médico chegar.
I'm just here passing time until the doctor arrives.
Contexte culturel
In Lusophone cultures, time is often seen as something to be shared rather than just managed. The phrase reflects a relaxed attitude toward the clock, where 'passing time' with family is considered a productive afternoon. The popular 'Passatempo' biscuit brand in Brazil has cemented this phrase in the minds of children as synonymous with fun and snacks.
The Money Trap
Never use `passar` for money. If you say 'passei muito dinheiro', people will look for a suitcase you dropped. Use `gastar` for currency!
The Biscuit Connection
If you are in Brazil, look for 'Passatempo' cookies in the supermarket. They are a cultural icon and a great way to remember the phrase.
En 15 secondes
- Used to describe how you occupy your hours or days.
- Equivalent to 'spending time' but uses the verb 'to pass'.
- Never use it for money; that requires the verb 'gastar'.
What It Means
Passar tempo is your go-to phrase for describing how you use your hours. It is the bread and butter of daily conversation. Whether you are killing time at a bus stop or enjoying a sunset, this is the verb you need. It is simple, direct, and incredibly versatile.
How To Use It
You use it just like 'to spend' in English, but with a more literal 'passing' feel. You can add adverbs to describe the quality of that time. For example, you can passar tempo with friends, alone, or even doing nothing at all. It usually takes a direct object or a prepositional phrase to clarify what you are doing. Just remember to conjugate passar according to who is doing the spending.
When To Use It
Use it when you are catching up with friends over a *cafezinho*. It is perfect for telling someone about your weekend plans. You will hear it in the office when colleagues discuss their vacations. It is also the standard way to talk about hobbies. Use it whenever the focus is on the duration or the experience of time moving forward.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use passar tempo when you are talking about spending money. For cash, you must use the verb gastar. If you say you want to passar money, people will think you are trying to hand them a physical bill! Also, avoid it in very high-stakes professional settings where 'investing time' (investir tempo) might sound more impressive. Nobody wants to hear the CEO is just 'passing time' during a board meeting.
Cultural Background
Brazilians and Portuguese people value social time immensely. The concept of passar tempo often implies being present with others. It is not just about the clock ticking. It is about the quality of the connection. There is even a famous biscuit in Brazil called 'Passatempo' because it's meant to be eaten while enjoying a break. It is a phrase rooted in the Mediterranean and Latin lifestyle of savoring the moment.
Common Variations
You will often hear passatempo as a single word, which means a 'hobby' or 'pastime.' Another common one is gastar tempo, which implies 'wasting' or 'spending' time more heavily. If you are just idling, you might hear passar o tempo with the definite article. Each variation adds a tiny flavor of intent to your sentence.
Notes d'usage
The phrase is extremely flexible across all social classes. It sits comfortably in the neutral register, making it safe for both your boss and your best friend.
The Money Trap
Never use `passar` for money. If you say 'passei muito dinheiro', people will look for a suitcase you dropped. Use `gastar` for currency!
The Biscuit Connection
If you are in Brazil, look for 'Passatempo' cookies in the supermarket. They are a cultural icon and a great way to remember the phrase.
Adding 'O'
Adding the article to make it `passar o tempo` often implies you are just killing time because you are bored or waiting.
Exemples
6Eu amo passar tempo com você no parque.
I love spending time with you at the park.
Very common for social plans and expressing affection.
No meu tempo livre, costumo passar tempo lendo livros técnicos.
In my free time, I usually spend time reading technical books.
Shows a productive use of time in a professional setting.
Estou aqui apenas passando tempo até o médico chegar.
I'm just here passing time until the doctor arrives.
Used when you are idle or waiting for something.
Passar tempo com meus netos é a melhor coisa da vida.
Spending time with my grandkids is the best thing in life.
Warm, emotional use of the phrase.
A melhor parte do filme foi passar tempo comendo pipoca.
The best part of the movie was spending time eating popcorn.
Sarcastic way to say the movie was bad.
Agradecemos por passar seu tempo conosco hoje.
We thank you for spending your time with us today.
Polite and professional closing.
Teste-toi
Choose the correct verb to say you like spending time with family.
Eu gosto de ___ tempo com minha família.
`Passar` is the correct verb for time; `gastar` is usually for money or wasting time, and `pagar` is for paying.
Complete the sentence to describe a hobby.
Meu ___ favorito é jogar futebol.
When used as a noun meaning 'hobby', it becomes the single word `passatempo`.
🎉 Score : /2
Aides visuelles
Formality Scale of 'Passar Tempo'
Hanging out with friends
Passando o tempo no bar.
General daily activities
Gosto de passar tempo lendo.
Professional gratitude
Obrigado por passar seu tempo aqui.
Where to use Passar Tempo
At the Beach
Passando tempo no sol.
Waiting Room
Só passando o tempo.
With Family
Passar tempo com os pais.
Hobby
Meu passatempo é pintar.
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsYes, but gastar tempo often implies you are 'wasting' time or using it up heavily, whereas passar tempo is more neutral and pleasant.
Yes! As one word, passatempo is a noun meaning 'hobby' or 'pastime', like Meu passatempo é ler.
You would say Eu passei duas horas fazendo isso. The verb passar conjugates normally.
It is neutral. In a very formal setting, you might prefer dedicar tempo (to dedicate time) to sound more committed.
Adding 'o' (the) makes it sound more like 'killing time' or waiting for something else to happen.
Absolutely! Vou passar tempo na praia is a perfect way to describe your holiday plans.
Yes, passar a noite is the standard way to say you stayed somewhere overnight.
Yes, it is universally understood and used across all Portuguese-speaking countries.
The most common mistake is using gastar when you mean a pleasant experience, as gastar sounds more like a cost.
Usually, it's for longer durations. For a quick task, you might just say levar (to take), like Isso leva cinco minutos.
Expressions liées
gastar tempo (to spend/waste time)
perder tempo (to lose/waste time)
aproveitar o tempo (to make the most of the time)
matar o tempo (to kill time)
dar tempo ao tempo (to give it time)
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