pasarme
/pah-SAHR-meh/
pass me
“Pasarme” means “pass me,” like when someone transfers an object to you.
pasarme(verb)
pass me
?transferring an object to the speaker
,hand me
?giving something to the speaker
give me (a turn/the phone)
?transferring possession or control
📝 In Action
¿Podrías pasarme la sal, por favor?
A1Could you pass me the salt, please?
Necesito pasarme el archivo antes de la reunión.
A2I need to transfer the file to myself before the meeting.
💡 Grammar Points
Infinitive + Me
When you see 'pasarme', it means the action of 'pasar' (to pass) is being directed at 'me' (myself/to me). The two words are joined together because 'pasar' is in its base form (infinitive).
❌ Common Pitfalls
Misplacement of 'me'
Mistake: "Me puedes pasar la sal."
Correction: This is acceptable, but attaching the pronoun to the infinitive (Pasarme) or the gerund (Pasándome) is also very common. The rule is: if you have two verbs, the pronoun can go before the first one or attached to the second one.
⭐ Usage Tips
Use with Modal Verbs
You will often use 'pasarme' after verbs like 'poder' (to be able to) or 'necesitar' (to need): 'Puedes pasarme...' (You can pass me...).
“Pasarme” can mean “happen to me,” describing an unexpected event or occurrence.
pasarme(verb)
happen to me
?referring to an event or occurrence
,occur to me
?referring to an idea or thought
affect me
?describing how something influences the speaker
📝 In Action
No te preocupes, no va a pasarme nada malo.
A2Don't worry, nothing bad is going to happen to me.
Se me acaba de pasarme una idea genial para el proyecto.
B1A great idea for the project just occurred to me.
💡 Grammar Points
Gustar-like Structure
When referring to ideas or feelings, this verb often uses the structure of 'gustar' where the thing happening (the idea) is the subject, and 'me' is the indirect recipient: 'Se me pasó la hora' (The hour passed itself to me, meaning: I lost track of time).
❌ Common Pitfalls
Confusing 'Me pasó' vs. 'Pasé'
Mistake: "Yo pasé un accidente. (I passed an accident.)"
Correction: Say 'Tuve un accidente' (I had an accident) or 'Me pasó un accidente' (An accident happened to me). 'Pasar' usually refers to spending time or physically moving.
⭐ Usage Tips
Forgetting or Losing Things
A very common use is 'Se me pasó' meaning 'I forgot it' or 'It slipped my mind.' Example: 'Se me pasó llamarte.' (I forgot to call you.)
“Pasarme” means “go too far,” often referring to exceeding a limit or boundary.
pasarme(verb)
go too far
?exceeding a social or physical limit
,overdo it
?doing something excessively
cross the line
?becoming inappropriate or excessive
,overstay (one's welcome)
?spending too much time
📝 In Action
Disculpa, creo que me pasé con la broma.
B1Sorry, I think I went too far with the joke.
No quiero pasarme, voy a comer solo un poco de postre.
B2I don't want to overdo it, I'm only going to eat a little dessert.
Me pasé tres horas viendo televisión anoche.
B1I spent/wasted three hours watching TV last night.
💡 Grammar Points
The Reflexive Change
When 'pasar' becomes 'pasarse' (using the 'se' form), the meaning shifts from simple movement ('to pass') to action directed inward ('to cross a personal limit'). The 'me' ensures the limit crossed is yours.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Forgetting the Preposition
Mistake: "Me pasé la línea. (I passed the line.)"
Correction: Often requires the preposition 'de' or 'con' to indicate the limit being exceeded: 'Me pasé de la línea' or 'Me pasé con la sal.'
⭐ Usage Tips
Self-Correction
This is a great phrase for apologizing or admitting an error in judgment: 'Me pasé, lo siento.' (I went too far, I'm sorry.)
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
preterite
imperfect
subjunctive
present
imperfect
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: pasarme
Question 1 of 2
Which English phrase best translates 'Creo que me pasé con el volumen'?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the pronoun 'me' attached to the end of the verb?
The pronoun 'me' attaches to the end of the verb when the verb is in its infinitive form (the base form, ending in -ar, -er, or -ir). This is very common when the infinitive follows another conjugated verb, like 'quiero' or 'necesito'.
Is 'pasarme' always reflexive?
No. 'Pasarme' is the combination of 'pasar' and the pronoun 'me.' Sometimes 'me' acts as a direct or indirect object (meaning 'to me'), as in 'pass me the salt.' Other times, it forms the reflexive verb 'pasarse,' which changes the core meaning to 'go too far' or 'happen to me.'