Quick Summary

The verb ‘passer’ is essential for describing movement through specific points or past landmarks. Mastering its use allows you to navigate urban environments with precision and natural flow.

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Core Lessons & Contextual Examples

1. Est-ce que je dois passer par la place de la République ?

English Translation: Do I need to go through the Place de la République?

Nuance Note: Using ‘passer par’ indicates traversing a specific location as part of a route.

2. Vous allez passer devant la mairie sur votre gauche.

English Translation: You will pass by the town hall on your left.

Nuance Note: The preposition ‘devant’ is the standard way to describe moving past a landmark without entering it.

3. Passez par la rue de Rivoli pour éviter les travaux.

English Translation: Take Rue de Rivoli to avoid the construction.

Nuance Note: This imperative form is the most direct way to suggest a specific path to someone.

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Common Mistakes to Avoid

❌ Pitfall 1: Grammatical Trap (Click to Reveal)

• Incorrect: Passez la rue de Rivoli.
• Correct: Passez par la rue de Rivoli.

Why it fails: Without ‘par’, the sentence implies you are physically crossing the street rather than using it as a route.

❌ Pitfall 2: Grammatical Trap (Click to Reveal)

• Incorrect: Je passe la mairie.
• Correct: Je passe devant la mairie.

Why it fails: Directly following ‘passer’ with a noun implies you are physically moving through or over the object, not walking past it.