pas

Everyday

1. (French) «Pas» means «not» in French, used with «ne»: «je ne sais pas» is «I don't know»; in casual French people often just say «pas». tree →
2. (French, ballet) «Pas» means «a step» in dance: a «pas de deux» is a dance for two people. tree →
3. «A faux pas» (from French, meaning «false step») is an embarrassing social mistake, like saying the wrong thing at a party. To an English ear «pas» sounds like «pah». tree →
4. In some old dialect spellings, "pas" means "past", as in "ran past". tree →

In the lessons

In French lessons «pas» is part of the negative: «ce n'est pas grave» (it's not a big deal), «pas du tout» (not at all), «pas mal» (not bad). In ballet classes «pas» names steps. In English, «a faux pas» is used in everyday talk for a social blunder. Also, in French «un pas» is a footstep.

Examples

• «Je ne sais pas» means «I don't know». tree →
• «Pas mal!» means «not bad!» tree →
• «Pas du tout» means «not at all». tree →
• In ballet, a «pas de deux» is a dance for two. tree →
• Wearing trainers to the wedding was a bit of a faux pas. tree →
• French «pas» sounds like «pah», and the «s» is silent. tree →
• «Ce n'est pas grave» means «it doesn't matter». tree →
• "Col'!" exclaimed Uncle Remus; "hit got pas' col' on der quarter stretch. tree →

Note

French, not English, except in borrowed phrases like «faux pas» (said «foh pah»). The «s» is silent. Do not confuse with «pa» (informal for father) or «pass».

In Jewish tradition

Part of a place name, Pas-dammim, where David and his warriors stood against the Philistines in a field of barley.

Interpretation. Pas-dammim is a battle site; the tradition sees it as a place where God gave Israel victory through David's men.

Examples

• He was with David at Pas-dammim, and there the Philistines were gathered together to battle, where was a plot of ground full of barley; and the people fled from before the Philistines. (Writings 1CH.11.13, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

French, not English, except in borrowed phrases like «faux pas» (said «foh pah»). The «s» is silent. Do not confuse with «pa» (informal for father) or «pass».