Translation of German word "passen" to English
passen
/ˈpaːsn̩/
Meaning
VerbTo be suitable for.
How to use
The weak verb passen ('to fit / suit / match') is an inherent dative verb when meaning to suit a person (Das Kleid passt mir — The dress fits me; Dienstag passt mir gut — Tuesday suits me well). Note: the source translation 'to gather' (сходиться) is misleading; it means to fit or suit. The prepositional combination passen zu + dative means to match something aesthetically (Die Schuhe passen zum Anzug — The shoes match the suit).
🇬🇧 English
to fit
Example
Du hast dazu nichts zu sagen. Ich werde genau das tun, was ich für richtig halte.
You have nothing to say about it. I will do exactly what I think is right.
Für den Kilimandscharo muss man kein guter Kletterer sein, aber man muss fit sein.
You don't have to be a good climber to climb Kilimanjaro, but you do have to be fit.
Your personal vocabulary
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Common phrases
- passen zu— to match / go well with (requires preposition 'zu' + dative)
- Das passt mir gut.— That suits me well / fits me well.
- wie gegossen passen— to fit like a glove (idiom)
More Core Verbs words
📖 Related grammar
🦊 Conjugation of the verb "passen"Full conjugation →
Present Tense (Präsens)
Simple Past (Präteritum)
Perfect (Perfekt)
ich bin/habe gepasst
Imperative (Imperativ)
Frequency rank: #207 in German
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the definition of the German word "passen"?▼
The German word "passen" is defined as: "To be suitable for."
What does the German word "passen" mean?▼
The German word "passen" means "to fit" in English.
How do you pronounce the German word "passen"?▼
You can hear the correct audio pronunciation of the word "passen" by clicking the play button next to the word at the top of this page.
Can I see an example sentence with "passen"?▼
Yes, here is a practical example: "Du hast dazu nichts zu sagen. Ich werde genau das tun, was ich für richtig halte." (which translates as "You have nothing to say about it. I will do exactly what I think is right.").
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