Do you want to hang out?
in Spanish¿Quieres pasar el rato?
/kee-EH-rehs pah-SAHR ehl RAH-toh/
The most literal and widely understood way to ask someone to spend time together without a specific plan.
Hanging out in Spanish is all about 'passing the time' together.
💬Other Ways to Say It
¿Quieres salir?
/kee-EH-rehs sah-LEER/
Literally means 'Do you want to go out?'.
¿Quieres quedar?
/kee-EH-rehs keh-DAHR/
The standard way to say 'meet up' or 'hang out' in Spain.
¿Hacemos algo?
/ah-SEH-mohs AHL-goh/
Means 'Should we do something?'.
¿Quieres parchar?
/kee-EH-rehs pahr-CHAHR/
Very popular Colombian slang for hanging out with friends.
¿Quieres boludear?
/kee-EH-rehs boh-loo-deh-AHR/
Literally 'to mess around' or 'to act like a fool,' but used commonly for just killing time together.
¿Quieres dar el rol?
/kee-EH-rehs dahr ehl ROHL/
A Mexican expression that means to go for a walk or drive around just to see what's happening.
¿Te apuntas?
/teh ah-POON-tahs/
Means 'Are you in?' or 'Do you want to join?'.
¿Quieres hanguear?
/kee-EH-rehs han-geh-AHR/
A direct 'Spanglish' adaptation of the English word 'hang out'.
🔑Key Words
Key Words to learn:
📊Quick Comparison
Different ways to suggest hanging out depending on your location and the vibe you want.
| Phrase | Formality | Best For | Avoid When |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pasar el rato | Neutral | General use with anyone. | You want to sound like a local in a specific city. |
| Quedar | Informal | Making plans in Spain. | You are in Latin America (where it means 'to stay'). |
| Parchar | Slang | Young people in Colombia. | Professional settings or with older people. |
| Hacemos algo | Casual | Low-pressure invitations anywhere. | You need a firm commitment or a formal meeting. |
📈Difficulty Level
The words are phonetic, but the 'rr' in 'rato' needs a slight trill.
Very simple sentence structure: Verb (Querer) + Infinitive.
The phrases change drastically by country, so knowing your audience is key.
Key Challenges:
- Remembering the regional slang (Spain vs Colombia vs Mexico)
- Distinguishing between a friendly 'hanging out' and a formal date
💡Examples in Action
¿No tienes planes hoy? ¿Quieres pasar el rato en mi casa?
Don't have plans today? Do you want to hang out at my house?
Estamos aburridos, ¿hacemos algo esta tarde?
We're bored, should we do something this afternoon?
Oye, ¿quieres quedar para tomar un café mañana?
Hey, do you want to meet up for a coffee tomorrow?
Vamos a parchar al parque un rato, ¿te apuntas?
We're going to hang out at the park for a bit, are you in?
🌍Cultural Context
Group Culture vs. One-on-One
In many Spanish-speaking cultures, 'hanging out' is often a group activity. If you invite someone to 'hacer algo' (do something), don't be surprised if they ask '¿Quiénes van?' (Who's going?), as social circles are often very inclusive.
Is it a date?
Using '¿Quieres salir?' can sometimes be interpreted as asking someone on a romantic date, similar to 'Do you want to go out?'. If you want to keep it strictly platonic, 'pasar el rato' or 'quedar con amigos' is much safer.
The concept of 'El Rato'
The word 'rato' is very flexible. It can mean anything from 10 minutes to several hours. Spanish speakers value quality time, so 'un ratito' (a little while) often turns into a long afternoon of talking.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Don't use 'Colgar'
Mistake: "¿Quieres colgar?"
Correction: ¿Quieres pasar el rato?
Overusing 'Hanguear'
Mistake: "Using 'hanguear' in Argentina or Spain."
Correction: Use 'boludear' or 'quedar' instead.
💡Pro Tips
Be Specific with 'Quedar'
If you are in Spain, 'quedar' is the magic word. It's used for everything from business meetings to casual drinks. Just remember to specify a place!
Use 'Te apetece' for a Softer Touch
Instead of '¿Quieres...?', try '¿Te apetece hacer algo?'. It translates to 'Do you feel like doing something?' and sounds slightly more inviting and less direct.
🗺️Regional Variations
Spain
Spain is very 'quedar' centric. If you use 'pasar el rato', you'll be understood, but you'll sound like a textbook. 'Quedar' is the social glue of Spanish life.
Mexico
Mexicans use 'salir' or 'hacer algo' most frequently. 'Dar el rol' is very specific to wandering around the city.
Colombia
The word 'parche' defines the social scene. It can be a noun (the group) or a verb (to hang out).
📱Texting & Social Media
¿Quedamos?
Used in Spain via text to quickly set a meeting.
Oye, ¿q damos a las 8?
Hey, should we meet at 8?
¿Sale algo hoy?
Mexico and Argentina for seeing if plans are happening.
Che, ¿sale algo esta noche?
Hey, is anything happening tonight?
💬What Comes Next?
They agree to hang out
¡Dale! ¿A qué hora?
Sure! At what time?
A las siete, ¿te parece?
At seven, does that work for you?
They ask where to meet
¿Dónde nos vemos?
Where should we meet up?
En la plaza central.
In the central square.
🧠Memory Tricks
If you want to 'hang out,' you just want to 'pass the time' (pasar el rato) with someone.
🎯Your Learning Path
➡️ Learn Next:
¿A qué hora nos vemos?
The natural next step once they say yes to hanging out.
Yo me apunto
How to say you want to join someone else's plan.
Lo siento, no puedo
How to politely decline an invitation.
✏️Test Your Knowledge
💡 Quick Quiz: Do you want to hang out?
Question 1 of 3
You are in Madrid and want to ask a new friend to meet up for a drink. What's the best phrase?
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use 'hanguear' in Spain?
You can, but it sounds very 'Americanized.' Spaniards will understand it, but they will likely find it strange or amusing. It's better to use 'quedar' or 'salir' to sound natural.
Does 'pasar el rato' sound sexual?
Generally, no. It is very platonic and literal. However, like in English, context matters. If said with a suggestive tone late at night, any invitation can be misinterpreted, but the phrase itself is innocent.
What's the difference between 'quedar' and 'reunirse'?
'Quedar' is casual and used for friends. 'Reunirse' is more formal and used for 'meeting' or 'gathering,' often in a business or organized group context.
How do I ask 'What are you doing later?' as a way to lead into hanging out?
You can say: '¿Qué vas a hacer más tarde?' or simply '¿Qué haces luego?'. If they say 'Nada' (nothing), that's your cue to suggest hanging out!
📚Continue Learning Spanish Phrases
Explore More Phrases in These Categories
Find similar phrases to expand your Spanish vocabulary:
Want to Learn More Spanish Phrases?
Browse our complete collection of Spanish phrases organized by situation, from basic greetings to advanced conversations. Perfect for travelers, students, and anyone learning Spanish.
View All Spanish Phrases →