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.
He passed the exam.
I passed the driving test.
A more casual, everyday verb meaning "to pass (an exam)." Very common in spoken Japanese.
Borrowed from English, used informally for passing a test or skipping something. Less common than 合格 or 受かる for exams.
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.
To give or hand an object to another person.
The most common verb for "to hand over, pass (something to someone)."
To spend or let time elapse.
Intransitive verb for time passing. Very common.
To approve or enact legislation.
Formal verb meaning "to pass (a bill, resolution)." Used in political contexts.
To throw, kick, or hit a ball to a teammate.
To decline or skip an offer or chance.
A euphemism for dying.
Polite and common euphemism for dying, equivalent to "pass away."
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.
I passed the exam. (natural)
I passed the university entrance exam!
Does this bus pass in front of the station?
I pass this street every day.
Intransitive verb meaning "to pass (by), go past." Often used for time or moving past a point.
A car passed by me.
Formal verb meaning "to pass through, go through." Used for trains, cars, or formal contexts.
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.
I passed the slow car.
Could you pass me the salt?
I passed the documents to him.
Means "to pass around, circulate." Used when passing something among a group, like snacks or a collection plate.
Please pass the snacks around.
Literally "hand-pass," emphasizing direct hand-to-hand transfer. More specific than 渡す.
I passed it directly by hand.
Time passed quickly.
Intransitive verb meaning "to pass, elapse." Often used for a period of time passing since an event.
Three years have passed since then.
Means "to kill time, pass time." Used when you have free time and need to occupy yourself.
I passed the time at a café.
The parliament passed the bill.
Also used for passing legislation, similar to 可決 but slightly broader.
The new law passed.
Used in team sports like soccer or rugby for passing the ball around.
Pass the ball around!
Means "to refuse, decline." Used when you pass on an invitation or offer.
I was invited but I passed.
Casual way to say "I'll pass" or "skip." Common in informal situations.
I'll pass this time.
He passed away last year.
Very formal and respectful term for passing away, used in obituaries or formal announcements.
We mourn his passing.
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.
I pass this street every day. (route)
A car passed by me. (point)