Spanish vocabulary · Beginner
How to Say Past in Spanish: Pasado
Pasado · noun (masculine) / adjective · pah-SAH-doh
Past in Spanish is pasado — it works as a noun (el pasado = the past), an adjective (la semana pasada = last week), and a participle (he pasado = I have passed). For the preposition past (walk past the store), use más allá de or pasar de largo.
pah-SAH-doh — three syllables with stress on the second. The d between vowels softens to a th sound.
No puedes cambiar el pasado.
You can't change the past.
Past in Spanish: Quick Reference
Below are the most common Spanish words for past, with pronunciation and regional usage notes.
| Spanish | English | Pronunciation | Region / Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| pasado | past | pah-SAH-doh | Default, widely understood |
| más allá de | past | preposition: past/beyond a location | |
| anterior | past | previous, preceding |
How Native Speakers Use Pasado
Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.
The past (noun)
Hay que aprender del pasado para no repetir errores.
We must learn from the past to not repeat mistakes.
El pasado as a noun means the past — history or previous times.
Last week (adjective)
La semana pasada fuimos a la playa.
Last week we went to the beach.
Pasado/a after a time word means last: el mes pasado, el año pasado.
Passing a location (preposition)
La farmacia está más allá del semáforo.
The pharmacy is past the traffic light.
For spatial past (beyond), Spanish uses más allá de or después de.
Avoid These Mistakes When Using Pasado
Using pasado as a preposition directly
Incorrect: La tienda está pasado el banco.
Correct: La tienda está pasando el banco. / La tienda está más allá del banco.
Pasado does not function as a preposition like English past. Use más allá de or the gerund pasando for spatial meaning.
Confusing pasado with último
Incorrect: El pasado capítulo fue aburrido.
Correct: El último capítulo fue aburrido. / El capítulo anterior fue aburrido.
Pasado means last only with time expressions (semana pasada). For the last chapter, use último or anterior.
Lock in Past Vocabulary with the Parrot Method
Why word lists alone don't stick
Memorizing a translation feels productive, but most learners forget 70% of what they studied within 48 hours. Vocabulary needs spaced repetition AND real-world exposure to transfer to long-term memory.
See Pasado used by native speakers
Parrot's short-form videos feature native speakers using pasado in real situations. Context-based exposure beats flashcards, you hear No puedes cambiar el pasado. while watching someone live the moment, connecting meaning, sound, and rhythm at once.
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Common Questions About Past in Spanish
- How do you say past in Spanish?
- As a noun or adjective, past is pasado: el pasado (the past), la semana pasada (last week). As a preposition (past the building), use más allá de.
- What is the difference between pasado and anterior?
- Pasado typically pairs with time words (el año pasado = last year). Anterior means previous or preceding and works in broader contexts: el capítulo anterior (the previous chapter).
- How do you say in the past in Spanish?
- En el pasado: En el pasado, la gente viajaba a caballo (In the past, people traveled on horseback).