Pass by Meaning in English

expression

US

UK

Definition

To move past someone or something, usually while continuing in the same direction. It can also mean for time or opportunities to go by without being noticed or used.

Usage & Nuances

Often informal. Used for both people/things ('The bus passed by the house') and intangible things like time ('The summer passed by quickly'). Not interchangeable with 'pass away' (die) or 'pass out' (faint).

• Spanish: pasar por - pasar cerca de
• Portuguese (BR): passar por - passar perto de
• Portuguese (PT): passar por - passar perto de
• Chinese (Simplified): 经过 - 路过
• Chinese (Traditional): 經過 - 路過
• Hindi: पास होना - गुजरना
• Arabic: يمرُّ بجانب - يَمُرُّ
• Bengali: পাশ দিয়ে চলে যাওয়া - অতিক্রম করা - সময় চলে যাওয়া
• Russian: проходить мимо - пролетать (о времени/возможностях)
• Japanese: 通り過ぎる - 過ぎる (時間や機会の場合)
• Vietnamese: đi qua - trôi qua (thời gian/cơ hội)
• Korean: 지나가다 - 흘러가다 (시간/기회)
• Turkish: yanından geçmek - geçip gitmek (zaman/fırsat)
• Urdu: گزر جانا - پاس سے گزرنا
• Indonesian: melewati - berlalu (waktu/kesempatan)

Example Sentences

We watched the cars pass by our window.

basic

She smiled as she passed by her friends at school.

basic

We let the dog pass by before crossing the road.

basic

Don’t just let opportunities pass by without trying.

natural

Summer seems to pass by faster every year.

natural

If you’re in town, feel free to pass by my office and say hi.

natural