pas/pa/
adverb / noun · A1 · Frequency 16
adverb
Meanings
negation adverb
Used as a negation adverb to form negative sentences, e.g., "ne… pas".
Examples
Je ne comprends pas la dernière consigne.
I do not understand the last instruction.
Ne touche pas à cette casserole, elle est encore chaude.
Do not touch that saucepan; it is still hot.
Le bus n'est pas encore arrivé à l'arrêt.
The bus has not arrived at the stop yet.
Collocations
- ne ... pasnot
Common mistakes
Je ne sais pas pas.
Je ne sais pas.
In negation, "pas" should appear only once; an extra "pas" is incorrect.
Il a fait un pas rapide.
Il a fait un pas lent.
When "pas" means a step, it is often combined with adjectives to express the nature of the step; incorrect collocations cause unclear meaning.
Related words
- synonymnonno/not
synonymétapestep, stage
- antonymouiyes, affirmative
nounmasculine
Meanings
step, pace, footstep
Refers to the action or distance of a footstep when walking.
mountain pass, strait
Refers to a passage through mountains or a narrow waterway.
thread, pitch (of a screw or nut)
In mechanics, refers to the distance between threads on a screw or nut.
Examples
Il a fait un pas vers la porte avant de changer d'avis.
He took a step toward the door before changing his mind.
Le sentier traverse le pas entre les deux vallées.
The trail crosses the pass between the two valleys.
Le mécanicien mesure le pas de la vis avant de la remplacer.
The mechanic measures the screw's pitch before replacing it.
Collocations
- faire un pasto take a step
- un pas de visscrew thread pitch
Common mistakes
Il marche avec un pas.
Il marche à pas lents.
'Pas' meaning 'step/pace' is uncountable and abstract in this sense; it does not take the indefinite article 'un'. Correct usage: 'à pas + adjective' (e.g., 'à pas lents') or 'faire des pas' (plural with definite article).
Related words
synonymenjambéestride
synonymfouléestride (of horse, athlete etc.)