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
🦊 Use this word in a live AI conversationSynonyms
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)
📖 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
Learn them all! 🚀
Master the 1000 most common German words with smart explanations, audio pronunciation, and spaced repetition.
Start Learning For Free →No sign-up required
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.").
More Core Verbs words
Related reading
100 Most Common German Verbs (with examples & conjugation)
Master the 100 most frequent German verbs. Learn their meanings, see them in action with example sentences, and access direct dictionary links to see full conjugation tables.
Read →GermanA1 → B1 in German: A Realistic Step-by-Step Roadmap
A realistic guide to moving from absolute beginner (A1) to intermediate (B1) in German. Learn what to study at each level, timeline estimates, and resources.
Read →