Pasar vs. Suceder is a comparison of two Spanish verbs that both mean “to happen.” This guide covers their meanings, usage, contexts, and examples to help you choose the right word.
In Spanish, pasar and suceder can both be used to express that something “happens.” However, they are used in different contexts and carry different nuances. Pasar is more general and can mean “to pass,” “to spend,” or “to happen,” depending on context. Suceder is more formal and specifically means “to occur” or “to take place.” Understanding the difference will help you use each verb more naturally.
- Pasar: general verb with multiple meanings, including “to happen,” “to pass,” or “to spend (time).”
- Suceder: more formal and specific, meaning “to occur” or “to take place.”
- Both can be used for events or situations, but sucender is less common in everyday speech.
Meaning and Usage
Pasar
- Means “to happen” when referring to events, situations, or experiences.
- Can also mean “to pass” (something along), “to spend” (time), or “to go through” (a place or situation).
- Used in both formal and informal contexts.
Suceder
- Means “to occur,” “to take place,” or “to happen,” especially in a narrative or reporting context.
- Carries a more formal or literary tone than pasar.
- Usually refers to events or facts rather than personal experiences.
- Pasar can be used for a wider range of meanings beyond “to happen.”
- Suceder is more specialized and formal, often found in written or reported contexts.
- Both verbs require context to clarify meaning, especially for pasar.
Examples of Pasar
Pasar is very common in spoken Spanish when talking about events, experiences, or situations.
- ¿Qué pasó ayer en la fiesta? (What happened at the party yesterday?)
- Pasé todo el día estudiando. (I spent the whole day studying.)
- No sé qué pasa con mi computadora. (I don’t know what’s wrong with my computer.)
Pasar is also used in idiomatic expressions:
- pasar por alto (to overlook)
- pasar un buen rato (to have a good time)
- que pase lo que tenga que pasar (let whatever has to happen, happen)
- Pasar is the go-to verb for “what happened?” in everyday conversation.
- It can describe both events and personal experiences.
- It appears in many idiomatic phrases that extend beyond the meaning of “to happen.”
Examples of Suceder
Suceder is more common in formal speech, journalism, storytelling, and written Spanish.
- Nadie sabe qué sucedió durante la reunión. (No one knows what happened during the meeting.)
- Sucedió un accidente en la carretera a las 8 de la mañana. (An accident occurred on the highway at 8 a.m.)
- Lo que sucedió esa noche cambió todo para siempre. (What happened that night changed everything forever.)
Other related forms:
- “sucedido” (past participle): lo sucedido (the occurred event)
- “sucede” (present): ¿Qué sucede? (What’s happening?)
- Suceder is often used to report or narrate events with a neutral or serious tone.
- It is not typically used for casual conversation about everyday experiences.
- Related nouns (suceso) and adjectives (sucedido) appear in journalistic and academic contexts.
Context and Register
Pasar
- Used in informal and formal situations.
- Common in everyday conversation, storytelling, and even some writing.
- More versatile due to its multiple meanings.
Suceder
- Used in formal speech, news reports, literature, and academic writing.
- Less common in casual conversation.
- Signals a more objective or serious tone when describing events.
- Pasar is safe for almost any context where something “happened,” especially in speech.
- Suceder elevates the register and is preferred in contexts requiring precision or formality.
- Avoid using sucender in casual talk—listeners may find it overly stiff or literary.
Summary
- Pasar and suceder both mean “to happen,” but differ in formality and scope.
- Pasar is general, informal to formal, and has multiple meanings beyond “to happen.”
- Suceder is specific, formal, and used mainly for reporting or narrating events.
- Use pasar for everyday situations and sucender for more serious or written contexts.
Last updated: Thu Jun 5, 2025
