Translation guide
The English word "pass" has many meanings. This guide covers the most common ones for learners: passing an exam, passing by a place, handing something over, passing time, and more.
To achieve a passing grade or succeed in an examination or test.
The most common and natural way to say "pass an exam/test." Used for formal exams, school tests, and certifications.
彼は試験に合格した。
He passed the exam.
I passed the driving test.
A more casual, everyday verb meaning "to pass (an exam)." Very common in spoken Japanese.
大学に受かった！
I passed the university entrance exam!
Borrowed from English, used informally for passing a test or skipping something. Less common than 合格 or 受かる for exams.
そのテスト、パスしたよ。
I passed that test.
To move past or go by a location, object, or person.
Intransitive verb meaning "to pass through, go by." Used for passing a place, street, or point.
このバスは駅の前を通りますか？
Does this bus pass in front of the station?
毎日この道を通ります。
I pass this street every day.
Intransitive verb meaning "to pass (by), go past." Often used for time or moving past a point.
Formal verb meaning "to pass through, go through." Used for trains, cars, or formal contexts.
列車はその駅を通過します。
The train passes through that station (without stopping).
Transitive verb meaning "to overtake, pass (a vehicle or person)." Used specifically for passing someone ahead of you.
To give or hand an object to another person.
The most common verb for "to hand over, pass (something to someone)."
塩を渡してもらえますか？
Could you pass me the salt?
彼に書類を渡した。
I passed the documents to him.
Means "to pass around, circulate." Used when passing something among a group, like snacks or a collection plate.
Literally "hand-pass," emphasizing direct hand-to-hand transfer. More specific than 渡す.
To spend or let time elapse.
Intransitive verb for time passing. Very common.
時間が早く過ぎた。
Time passed quickly.
Intransitive verb meaning "to pass, elapse." Often used for a period of time passing since an event.
あれから三年が経った。
Three years have passed since then.
Means "to kill time, pass time." Used when you have free time and need to occupy yourself.
カフェで時間をつぶした。
I passed the time at a café.
To approve or enact legislation.
Formal verb meaning "to pass (a bill, resolution)." Used in political contexts.
議会はその法案を可決した。
The parliament passed the bill.
Also used for passing legislation, similar to 可決 but slightly broader.
新しい法律が通過した。
The new law passed.
To throw, kick, or hit a ball to a teammate.
To decline or skip an offer or chance.
Means "to refuse, decline." Used when you pass on an invitation or offer.
誘われたけど断った。
I was invited but I passed.
Casual way to say "I'll pass" or "skip." Common in informal situations.
今回はパスします。
I'll pass this time.
A euphemism for dying.
Polite and common euphemism for dying, equivalent to "pass away."
彼は昨年亡くなりました。
He passed away last year.
Very formal and respectful term for passing away, used in obituaries or formal announcements.
ご逝去を悼みます。
We mourn his passing.
While パスする can mean "pass a test" in casual speech, it's better to use 合格する or 受かる in most situations. パスする is a loanword and may sound too informal or ambiguous.
試験に合格しました。
I passed the exam. (natural)
試験をパスしました。
I passed the exam. (casual, less natural)
通る emphasizes going through or along a route, while 過ぎる emphasizes moving past a point. 通る is more common for describing regular routes.
毎日この道を通ります。
I pass this street every day. (route)
車が私の横を過ぎた。
A car passed by me. (point)
A car passed by me.
I passed the slow car.
Please pass the snacks around.
直接手渡しで渡した。
I passed it directly by hand.