How to Use the French Verb “Passer” (Passé Composé with Être or Avoir Explained)

Because it is such a versatile verb, passer appears constantly in daily French conversations. The French verb passer is one of the most common — and most confusing — verbs for French learners. Why? Because it has many different meanings, and it can be used with avoir or être in compound tenses. It can also become pronominal (se passer), which completely changes its meaning. Practicing it will immediately improve your confidence and fluency. We gave many examples so that the use of this verb in context would be clearer for you.

In this guide, you will learn:

1. The main meanings of passer

2. When to use avoir passé

3. When to use être passé

4. How to use se passer

5. A practice exercise (with answers)

1️-Passer (General Meaning: To Pass / To Spend / To Take)

The verb passer has several common meanings in French.

A) To Spend (Time)

When talking about spending time, passer is used with avoir in compound tenses.

Examples:

1.     Nous passons deux semaines à Paris.
→ We spend two weeks in Paris.

2.     J’ai passé une excellente journée.
→ I had / spent an excellent day.

3.     Elle va passer la soirée avec ses amis.
→ She is going to the evening with her friends.

B) To Take (An Exam)

Examples:

1.     Il passe un examen demain.
→ He is taking an exam tomorrow.

2.     J’ai passé mon permis de conduire.
→ I took my driving test.

3.     Elle a passé un entretien d’embauche.
→ She had a job interview.

C) To Go By / To Pass By (Movement – with a Direct Object)

Examples:

1.     Le bus passe toutes les dix minutes.
→ The bus comes every ten minutes.

2.     Je passe te voir ce soir.
→ I’ll stop by to see you tonight.

3.     Nous passons par le parc pour aller au travail.
→ We go through the park to get to work.

2️- Être Passé (Movement – No Direct Object)

When passer indicates movement without a direct object (like going somewhere), it uses être in the passé composé.

Think of it as a change of location.

Examples:

1.     Je suis passé chez le boulanger.
→ I stopped by the baker’s.

2.     Elle est passée à mon bureau ce matin.
→ She stopped by my office this morning.

3.     Nous sommes passés par Lyon.
→ We went through Lyon.

⚠️ Tip: If there is no direct object, and it means physical movement, use être.

3️ - Avoir Passé (With a Direct Object)

When passer has a direct object, it uses avoir in compound tenses.

Examples:

1.     J’ai passé trois heures à étudier.
→ I spent three hours studying.

2.     Est-ce que tu as passé un bon week-end ?
→ Did you have a good weekend ?

3.     Nous avons passé un bon moment ensemble.
→ We had a good time together.

⚠️ Tip: If you can identify what is being “passed” (time, an exam, a door, a moment), use avoir.

4️- Se Passer (To Happen)

The pronominal form se passer means to happen.

It is always conjugated with être in compound tenses because it is pronominal.

Examples:

1.     Qu’est-ce qui se passe ?
→ What is happening?

2.     L’accident s’est passé hier soir.
→ The accident happened last night.

3.     Tout s’est bien passé.
→ Everything went well.

⚠️ Important:
Passer ≠ Se passer

·       J’ai passé une bonne journée → I had a good day.

·       La journée s’est bien passée → The day went well.

5- Practice Exercise: Passer, Être ou Avoir ?

Fill in the blanks with the correct form of passer (present or passé composé).

1.     Nous _______ une semaine formidable à Paris.

2.     Que _______-t-il ?

3.     Elle est _______ chez moi hier soir.

4.     J’ai _______ mon examen avec succès.

5.     Le film s’est _______ en France.

6.     Il _______ te voir demain.

7.     Nous sommes _______ par la Belgique.

8.     Tout s’est bien _______.

9.     Elle a _______ trois heures au téléphone.

10.  Je suis _______ devant ta maison.

✅ Corrections

1.     avons passé

2.     se passe

3.     passée

4.     passé

5.     passé

6.     passe

7.     passés

8.     passé

9.     passé

10.  passé

Final Tip for French Learners

To master passer, always ask yourself:

·       Is there a direct object? → Use avoir

·       Is it movement without object? → Use être

·       Does it mean “to happen”? → Use se passer

Private French lessons online or in person in Paris with French à La Carte

Improve your French grammar with French à La Carte

At French à La Carte, we offer personalized and structured private French lessons. Grammar structures, syntax, tenses, feel free to contact us to learn more about the grammar points to focus on on according to your level ( A1,A2,B1,B2,C1)
If, you would like to practise with a French tutor, we can help you with private personalized lessons online or in person in Paris.

We offer

• Conversational French

• French for professionals

• Lessons in the evening & on the week-ends

• Immersive lessons in Paris

• Exam preparation ( TCF, DELF, DALF)