How to Say "pass" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “pass” is “paso” — use 'paso' for a general passage or a route, especially a mountain pass or a step in a process..
paso
/PAH-soh//ˈpaso/
Examples
El túnel es el único paso entre las dos ciudades.
The tunnel is the only passage between the two cities.
Cerraron el paso de montaña por la nieve.
They closed the mountain pass because of the snow.
El guardia nos bloqueó el paso.
The guard blocked our way.
pase
/PAH-seh//ˈpa.se/
Examples
Necesito mi pase de abordar para subir al avión.
I need my boarding pass to get on the plane.
Compramos un pase de tres días para el parque de diversiones.
We bought a three-day pass for the amusement park.
El jugador de fútbol dio un pase perfecto a su compañero.
The soccer player made a perfect pass to his teammate.
Adelante, pase por favor. La puerta está abierta.
Go ahead, come in please. The door is open.
A Polite Command
'Pase' is the formal way to tell someone (usted) to come in or go ahead. For a friend (tú), you would say 'pasa'.
Expressing Wishes and Doubts
'Pase' is also a special verb form used after phrases like 'quiero que...' (I want...), 'espero que...' (I hope...), or 'dudo que...' (I doubt...). It signals that you're talking about something uncertain or desired, not a fact. Example: 'Espero que él pase.' (I hope that he passes.)
Confusing `pase` with `paseo`
Mistake: “Quiero comprar un paseo para el concierto.”
Correction: Quiero comprar un pase para el concierto. 'Pase' is the ticket or permit itself. 'Paseo' is the activity of going for a walk or a stroll.
Formal vs. Informal Commands
Mistake: “Telling a friend: 'Pase a mi casa.'”
Correction: Tell a friend: 'Pasa a mi casa.' Use 'pase' for people you would address as 'usted,' like a boss, an older person, or someone you just met. Use 'pasa' for friends, family, and people you call 'tú'.
boleto
/boh-LEH-toh//boˈle.to/
Examples
¿Tienes tu boleto para el concierto?
Do you have your ticket for the concert?
Compré un boleto de ida y vuelta para ir a la playa.
I bought a round-trip ticket to go to the beach.
El boleto ganador fue el número 457.
The winning lottery ticket was number 457.
Masculine Noun Rule
Remember that 'boleto' is always masculine, so you must use 'el' (the) or 'un' (a) with it: 'El boleto es caro' (The ticket is expensive).
Mixing up 'boleto' and 'billete'
Mistake: “Using 'boleto' when talking about paper money in Spain.”
Correction: In Spain, use 'billete' for paper money (banknote). Use 'boleto' primarily for tickets in Mexico and Central America, and sometimes for transport tickets in Spain, though 'billete' is also very common there.
entrada
en-TRAH-dah/enˈtɾaða/
Examples
¿Tienes ya tus entradas para el cine?
Do you already have your tickets for the movies?
La entrada al parque cuesta diez euros.
Admission to the park costs ten euros.
aprobado
ah-pro-BAH-doh/a.pɾo.ˈβa.ðo/
Examples
Con un cinco obtienes un aprobado.
With a five (out of ten), you get a passing grade.
Noun usage
As a noun, it refers to the grade itself. It is always masculine: 'el aprobado'.
pasan
PAH-sahn/ˈpa.san/
Examples
Ellos pasan por la puerta sin mirar.
They pass through the door without looking.
Los días pasan muy rápido cuando estamos ocupados.
The days pass very quickly when we are busy.
Ustedes pasan la frontera esta noche.
You all cross the border tonight.
Identifying the Speaker
'Pasan' is used when talking about 'ellos' (they, masculine or mixed group), 'ellas' (they, feminine), or 'ustedes' (you all/y'all).
abra
/AH-brah//ˈa.βɾa/
Examples
Tuvimos que cruzar la abra de la sierra para llegar al valle.
We had to cross the mountain pass to reach the valley.
La abra en la costa ofrecía un refugio natural para los barcos.
The inlet on the coast offered a natural shelter for the boats.
Gender Note
This noun is feminine: 'la abra'. Note that it does not follow the rule of using 'el' before feminine nouns that start with a stressed 'a' sound, because 'abra' is not stressed on the first syllable.
garganta
gar-GAN-tah/ɡaɾˈɣanta/
Examples
Tuvimos que cruzar una garganta muy estrecha para llegar al valle.
We had to cross a very narrow gorge to reach the valley.
La garganta de la botella es demasiado pequeña para el cepillo.
The neck of the bottle is too small for the brush.
pase
/PAH-seh//ˈpa.se/
Examples
Adelante, pase por favor. La puerta está abierta.
Go ahead, come in please. The door is open.
Necesito mi pase de abordar para subir al avión.
I need my boarding pass to get on the plane.
Compramos un pase de tres días para el parque de diversiones.
We bought a three-day pass for the amusement park.
El jugador de fútbol dio un pase perfecto a su compañero.
The soccer player made a perfect pass to his teammate.
A Polite Command
'Pase' is the formal way to tell someone (usted) to come in or go ahead. For a friend (tú), you would say 'pasa'.
Expressing Wishes and Doubts
'Pase' is also a special verb form used after phrases like 'quiero que...' (I want...), 'espero que...' (I hope...), or 'dudo que...' (I doubt...). It signals that you're talking about something uncertain or desired, not a fact. Example: 'Espero que él pase.' (I hope that he passes.)
Confusing `pase` with `paseo`
Mistake: “Quiero comprar un paseo para el concierto.”
Correction: Quiero comprar un pase para el concierto. 'Pase' is the ticket or permit itself. 'Paseo' is the activity of going for a walk or a stroll.
Formal vs. Informal Commands
Mistake: “Telling a friend: 'Pase a mi casa.'”
Correction: Tell a friend: 'Pasa a mi casa.' Use 'pase' for people you would address as 'usted,' like a boss, an older person, or someone you just met. Use 'pasa' for friends, family, and people you call 'tú'.
Passage vs. Ticket vs. Grade
Related Translations
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