Translation guide
How to express 'pass by' in Japanese, covering physical movement past a point, time passing, and idiomatic uses like missing an opportunity.
I passed by the store.
Time passes quickly.
To move past a location, object, or person without stopping.
The most direct and common way to say 'pass by' a place or object. It implies moving past without stopping.
I pass by the station every day.
Formal or technical term for passing through or by a point, often used for vehicles, trains, or in official contexts.
The train passes by that station (without stopping).
To pass by without stopping or paying attention, often implying ignoring or skipping something.
It's a waste to just pass by without stopping since we came all this way.
To describe the passage of time.
The standard verb for time passing. Can be used with time nouns like 時間 (time), 年月 (years), etc.
To fail to take advantage of a chance, or to let something go by.
Literally 'miss an opportunity'. The most natural way to say you let a chance pass by.
To intentionally or unintentionally not engage with someone or something.
To pretend not to know or notice, to pass by someone while ignoring them.
通り過ぎる is a general 'pass by', while 通りかかる implies happening to pass by at a certain moment, often by chance. Use 通りかかる when you want to emphasize the coincidence or timing.
I witnessed an accident when I happened to pass by.
The loanword パスする means 'pass' in the sense of handing something over, skipping a turn, or passing a test. It does not mean 'pass by' a location. Avoid saying 駅をパスする for 'pass by the station'.
He passed by me.
To happen to pass by, often implying coincidence or being in the area. Used when you 'happen to pass by' a place.
When I happened to pass by, fireworks went off.
Time passed by in a flash.
Fun times pass by quickly.
Used for a period of time passing, often with a focus on the elapsed duration. Common in phrases like 月日が経つ (months and days pass).
Three years have passed by since then.
Formal term for the passage of time, often used in official or medical contexts.
Two hours have passed since the surgery.
I let a great opportunity pass by.
Same as above but using the loanword チャンス (chance). Slightly more casual.
I let another chance pass by.
To overlook, miss seeing, or let something slip by. Can be used for opportunities or mistakes.
I let his mistake pass by (overlooked it).
He passed by me pretending not to notice.
To ignore someone. Stronger and more direct than 知らん顔をする.
He passed by ignoring my greeting.
pass by the station