Inklingo

How to Say "passed" in Spanish

English → Spanish

pasó

VerbA2General
Use this when referring to time moving forward or a person/vehicle going by a specific location.

Examples

El coche pasó por aquí hace un minuto.

The car passed by here a minute ago.

aprobado

ah-pro-BAH-doh/a.pɾo.ˈβa.ðo/

AdjectiveA2General
Use this to describe something that has been officially accepted or successfully completed, like an exam, a plan, or a proposal.
A green wax seal on a document showing a thumb up icon.

Examples

El examen fue aprobado por la mayoría de los estudiantes.

The exam was passed by the majority of the students.

El plan ya está aprobado.

The plan is already approved.

He aprobado el examen de conducir.

I have passed my driving test.

Matching the Noun

Since this acts as a description, it changes to 'aprobada' if the thing you are talking about is feminine (e.g., 'la ley aprobada').

Using with 'Ser' or 'Estar'

Use 'ser' for the act of being approved ('fue aprobado') and 'estar' to describe the final state ('está aprobado').

Passed vs. Approved

Mistake: “Using 'pasado' for a test.”

Correction: In Spanish, you 'approve' (aprobar) a test to say you passed it. 'Pasado' just means it went by.

adelantado

ah-deh-lahn-TAH-doh/a.ðe.lanˈta.ðo/

Past ParticipleA1General
Use this when 'passed' means to overtake someone or something in a race or traffic, or to make progress in a project or investigation.
A brightly colored snail is far along a winding path, illustrating something that has advanced or moved forward.

Examples

Hemos adelantado al líder en la última vuelta.

We passed the leader on the last lap.

Hemos adelantado mucho en la investigación.

We have advanced a lot in the investigation.

¿Ya has adelantado a ese camión?

Have you already passed that truck?

Forming Perfect Tenses

'Adelantado' is the building block for perfect tenses (like 'I have done'). You use it with a form of the verb 'haber': 'Yo he adelantado' (I have advanced).

Participle Agreement (Perfect Tenses)

Mistake: “Changing the ending of 'adelantado' when used with 'haber' (e.g., *Hemos adelantadas*).”

Correction: When forming perfect tenses (with 'haber'), the participle is always masculine singular: 'Hemos adelantado' (We have advanced). Only change the ending when using it as a plain adjective (Definition 1).

Choosing between 'pasó' and 'aprobado'

Learners often confuse 'pasó' (time/location) with 'aprobado' (successful completion/acceptance). Remember that 'pasó' describes movement or time, while 'aprobado' signifies a successful outcome or official sanction.

Related Translations

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