I had a great time
in SpanishMe lo pasé muy bien
/meh loh pah-SEH mwee byen/
This is the most common and versatile way to say you enjoyed yourself. It works perfectly in both Spain and Latin America.
Expressing your enjoyment is the best way to show appreciation to your host or friends!
💬Other Ways to Say It
Me la pasé súper bien
/meh lah pah-SEH SOO-pehr byen/
The go-to phrase in most of Latin America, especially Mexico. It swaps the 'lo' for 'la' and adds 'súper' for extra emphasis.
Lo pasé genial
/loh pah-SEH heh-NYAHL/
An incredibly common expression in Spain that sounds natural and friendly.
Me divertí mucho
/meh dee-behr-TEE MOO-choh/
A direct way of saying 'I had a lot of fun.' It focuses on the action of having fun rather than 'passing the time.'
La pasé bomba
/lah pah-SEH BOHM-bah/
A very common idiomatic expression in the Southern Cone where 'bomba' (bomb) implies something was explosive or amazing.
Me lo pasé pipa
/meh loh pah-SEH PEE-pah/
A quirky, slightly old-fashioned but still very popular slang phrase in Spain.
Fue una maravilla
/FWEH OO-nah mah-rah-BEE-yah/
Literally means 'It was a marvel' or 'It was wonderful.'
🔑Key Words
Key Words to learn:
📊Quick Comparison
Comparison of the most popular ways to say you had a great time based on region and tone.
| Phrase | Formality | Best For | Avoid When |
|---|---|---|---|
| Me lo pasé muy bien | Neutral | Almost any situation worldwide. | Never; it is always safe. |
| La pasé bomba | Casual | Friends in Argentina/Chile. | A formal business meeting. |
| Me lo pasé pipa | Casual | Making friends laugh in Spain. | Outside of Spain (they might not get it). |
📈Difficulty Level
The words are phonetic and simple, though the 'r' in 'divertí' requires a slight tap of the tongue.
It uses 'reflexive' pronouns (me, nos) which can be tricky for beginners to place correctly.
The main challenge is just picking the right 'lo' vs 'la' for the region.
Key Challenges:
- Switching between 'lo pasé' (Spain) and 'la pasé' (Latin America)
- Remembering to use 'pasé' instead of 'tuve'
💡Examples in Action
Gracias por la cena de anoche, me lo pasé muy bien.
Thanks for dinner last night, I had a great time.
¡La pasamos bomba en tu fiesta!
We had a blast at your party!
Me divertí muchísimo en el concierto.
I had a great time (had so much fun) at the concert.
🌍Cultural Context
The 'Lo' vs. 'La' Divide
One of the biggest differences between Spanish regions is whether people use 'lo' or 'la' with the verb 'pasar' (to pass/spend time). In Spain, they almost exclusively say 'Me lo pasé,' while in Mexico and much of Latin America, you'll hear 'Me la pasé.' Both are correct, so choose the one that fits your location!
Expressiveness in Spanish
Spanish speakers often use more colorful language than 'I had a good time.' Words like 'bomba,' 'pipa,' or 'padrísimo' (in Mexico) show a high level of enthusiasm that is very common in social settings.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Using 'Tiempo' literally
Mistake: "Tuve un buen tiempo."
Correction: Me lo pasé muy bien.
Confusing 'Bueno' and 'Bien'
Mistake: "Me lo pasé muy bueno."
Correction: Me lo pasé muy bien.
💡Pro Tips
Add 'muchísimo' for extra flair
If you really enjoyed yourself, change 'muy bien' to 'muchísimo' (me divertí muchísimo). It sounds much more natural and enthusiastic to native speakers.
The plural 'we'
If you were with a group, change 'me' to 'nos' (e.g., 'Nos lo pasamos genial'). It's a great way to include your partner or friends in the compliment.
🗺️Regional Variations
Mexico
Mexicans almost always use 'la' instead of 'lo' for this phrase. 'Súper' is used as a prefix for almost everything positive.
Spain
Spain sticks to 'lo.' They also love movie-related idioms like 'de cine' to mean something was great.
Argentina
Argentines use 'de diez' (like a 10/10 score) or 're' (like 'very') to emphasize how much fun they had.
💬What Comes Next?
They respond to you saying you had a great time
Me alegro mucho de que te gustara.
I'm very glad you liked it.
¡Sí! Tenemos que repetir pronto.
Yes! We have to do it again soon.
Asking if they also had a good time
¿Y tú? ¿Te divertiste?
And you? Did you have fun?
¡Claro que sí! Fue increíble.
Of course! It was incredible.
🎯Your Learning Path
➡️ Learn Next:
Gracias por invitarme
It is the natural phrase to say alongside 'I had a great time' when leaving a party.
Fue un gusto verte
Used to say 'It was a pleasure seeing you' at the end of a hangout.
✏️Test Your Knowledge
💡 Quick Quiz: I had a great time
Question 1 of 2
You are in Madrid and just finished a fun dinner with friends. What is the most natural thing to say?
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it 'lo pasé' or 'la pasé'?
Both are correct, but it depends on where you are. Use 'lo pasé' in Spain and 'la pasé' in Latin America. It's one of those small regional quirks that makes you sound like a local!
How do I say 'We had a great time'?
Just change 'me' (I) to 'nos' (we). For example: 'Nos lo pasamos muy bien.' Everything else stays the same!
Can I use 'divertido' to say I had a great time?
Yes, but you usually say 'Fue divertido' (It was fun) or 'Me divertí' (I had fun). 'I had a great time' is more commonly translated using the 'pasar' phrases.
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