Pass for Meaning in English
expression
ˈpæs/ /ˈfɔɹ/, /fɝ/, /fɹɝ
PASS-for, PASS-fer, PASS-fur
pˈɑːs/ /fˈɔː
PAHSS-for
Definition
To be accepted or mistaken as someone or something else, often because of appearance or behavior.
Usage & Nuances
Usually informal. Common structure: 'pass for + noun' (e.g., 'pass for a student'). Implies someone is believed to be something they're not, usually unintentionally. Not the same as 'pretend to be', which is intentional deception.
Spanish: hacerse pasar por - parecerPortuguese (BR): passar por - parecerPortuguese (PT): passar por - aparentarChinese (Simplified): 被当作 - 被看作Chinese (Traditional): 被當作 - 被看作Hindi: के रूप में चलना - दिखनाArabic: يُعتبر - يُنظر إليه على أنهBengali: মনে হওয়া - গলে যাওয়া (অন্যকিছু হিসাবে)Russian: сойти заJapanese: 〜に見える - 〜として通るVietnamese: được cho là - bị nhầm làKorean: ~처럼 보이다 - ~로 통하다Turkish: ... gibi görünmek - ... olarak kabul edilmekUrdu: سمجھا جانا - کسی اور کے طور پر لیا جاناIndonesian: dianggap sebagai - dikira sebagai
Example Sentences
He could pass for a teenager.
basic
The fake painting might pass for the real one.
basic
She tried to pass for a native speaker.
basic
With that outfit, he could easily pass for a movie star.
natural
That story just doesn’t pass for the truth.
natural
You could pass for my brother, you both look so alike!
natural