Translation and Meaning of: 過ごす - sugosu

The Japanese word 過ごす (すごす) is a common verb in everyday life, but it can generate doubts for language learners. Its main meaning involves the idea of "passing time" or "living a period," but its usage goes beyond that. In this article, we will explore how this word is applied in different contexts, its origin, and even tips for memorizing it effectively. If you've ever wondered how the Japanese use 過ごす in daily life or how to differentiate it from similar terms, keep reading.

Meaning and use of 過ごす

過ごす is a verb that conveys the idea of spending time in a certain way. It can mean anything from "enjoying a moment" to simply "living a specific period." For example, saying "夏休みを楽しく過ごした" (natsuyasumi o tanoshiku sugoshita) indicates that someone enjoyed the summer vacation in a fun way.

The interesting thing is that 過ごす does not limit itself to positive experiences. It can also be used in neutral or even negative contexts, as in "時間を無駄に過ごした" (jikan o muda ni sugoshita), which means "I spent time wasting it." This flexibility allows the verb to appear in various situations, from informal conversations to more formal texts.

Origin and writing of kanji

The kanji 過 is composed of the radical 辶 (which indicates movement) combined with 咼, suggesting the idea of "passing through something" or "transcurring." This composition reflects well the meaning of the verb, as 過ごす is related to the passage of time or the way we experience certain moments. It is worth noting that the reading すごす is the most common, but the same kanji can have other pronunciations, such as か in words like 過去 (kako - past).

One curiosity is that 過ごす is sometimes confused with 暮らす (kurasu), which also means "to live." However, while 暮らす refers more to general lifestyle, 過ごす is more related to specific periods. This subtle difference is important for those who want to speak Japanese more naturally.

Tips for memorizing and using 過ごす

An effective way to memorize 過ごす is to associate it with everyday situations. Think about how you "spent" your weekend or how you "lived" an important holiday. Creating sentences like "週末をゆっくり過ごす" (spending the weekend calmly) helps to internalize the verb in your active vocabulary.

Another tip is to pay attention to the usage of 過ごす in dramas or animes, where it often appears in dialogues about routine and personal experiences. Hearing the verb in real contexts makes it easier to understand the nuances that dictionaries do not always explain. With practice, using 過ごす correctly becomes intuitive.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Verb conjugation of 過ごす

• 過ごします - polite form
• 過ごせる - potential
• 過ごせます - educated potential
• 過ごされる - Passive
• 過ごせば - conditional
• 過ごしている - te-form

Synonyms and similar words

• 過ぎる (sugiru) - pass, exceed
• 過ぎ去る (sugisaru) - spend (time), leave
• 過ぎ去す (sugisusu) - let pass, allow something to pass
• 過ぎ廻る (sugimawaru) - circular around, go around
• 過ぎ越す (sugikosu) - pass over, surpass
• 過ぎ離れる (sugihanareru) - stay away, keep your distance
• 過ぎ去り行く (sugisarikiku) - leave, pass by
• 過ぎ去り過ぎる (sugisarizugiru) - to pass and pass, to leave too much
• 過ぎ去り去る (sugisarigaru) - let go and leave, go away at once

過ごす

Romaji: sugosu
Kana: すごす
Type: verb
L: jlpt-n3

Translation / Meaning: to spend; to spend; pass through; overcome

Meaning in English: to pass;to spend;to go through;to tide over

Definition: Spend some time in a specific place, spend time and live.

Example Sentences - (過ごす) sugosu

See below some example sentences:

窮屈な部屋で過ごすのは辛い。

Kyuukutsu na heya de sugosu no wa tsurai

It's hard to pass time in a cramped room.

It's hard to spend in a cramped room.

• 窮屈な - means "tight, narrow, confined".
• 部屋 - means "bedroom, living room".
• で - is a particle that indicates where the action takes place.
• 過ごす - means "to spend, to spend (time)".
• のは - It is a particle that indicates the subject of the sentence.
• 辛い - means "difficult, hard, painful".

クリスマスは家族と一緒に過ごす特別な日です。

Kurisumasu wa kazoku to issho ni sugosu tokubetsu na hi desu

Christmas is a special day spent with family.

Christmas is a special day to spend with your family.

• クリスマス (kurisumasu) - Christmas
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• 家族 (kazoku) - family
• と (to) - connecting particle
• 一緒に (issho ni) - together
• 過ごす (sugosu) - spend time)
• 特別な (tokubetsu na) - special
• 日 (hi) - day
• です (desu) - Verb ser/estar (polite form)

煙い部屋で過ごすのは苦手です。

Nebai heya de sugosu no wa nigate desu

I'm not good at spending time in a smoke room.

• 煙い (kusai) - full of smoke
• 部屋 (heya) - Room, living room
• で (de) - in, within
• 過ごす (sugosu) - spend time)
• のは (no wa) - Topic particle
• 苦手 (nigate) - not being good at, not liking
• です (desu) - to be, to be (polite form)

酒場で友達と楽しい時間を過ごしました。

Sakaba de tomodachi to tanoshii jikan wo sugoshimashita

I had fun with my friends at the bar.

• 酒場 (sakaba) - bar/pub
• で (de) - Article indicating the location where an action takes place.
• 友達 (tomodachi) - amigo(s)
• と (to) - partícula que indica "com"
• 楽しい (tanoshii) - divertido
• 時間 (jikan) - tempo/horas
• を (wo) - Article indicating the object of the action
• 過ごしました (sugoshimashita) - passou/teve (um bom tempo)

私たちは別荘で夏休みを過ごしました。

Watashitachi wa bessou de natsuyasumi o sugoshimashita

We spend the summer vacation in a country house.

We spend summer holidays in the village.

• 私たちは - Personal pronoun "we"
• 別荘で - location "in the country house"
• 夏休みを - summer vacation" period
• 過ごしました - verb "passamos"

のんびりとした日々を過ごしたいです。

Nonbiri to shita hibi wo sugoshitai desu

I want to spend a relaxing day.

• のんびりとした - adjective meaning "relaxed" or "calm"
• 日々 - noun meaning "everyday" or "everyday"
• を - Particle indicating the direct object of the sentence
• 過ごしたい - verb in potential form meaning "want to pass"
• です - particle that indicates the completion of the sentence and formality

愉快な時間を過ごしましょう。

Yukai na jikan wo sugoshimashou

Let's have a nice time.

Let's have fun.

• 愉快な (yukai na) - Pleasant, fun
• 時間 (jikan) - time, hour
• を (o) - Particle indicating the direct object of the sentence
• 過ごしましょう (sugoshimashou) - let's pass, let's enjoy

晩年を豊かに過ごしたいです。

Ban'nenn wo yutaka ni sugoshitai desu

I want to spend my years old rich and satisfactorily.

I want to spend my last rich years.

• 晩年 (ban nen) - It means "final years" or "last years" in Japanese.
• を (wo) - Direct Object Particle in Japanese
• 豊か (yutaka) - means "rich" or "abundant" in Japanese
• に (ni) - destination particle in Japanese
• 過ごしたい (sugoshitai) - It means "to want to pass" or "to want to live" in Japanese.
• です (desu) - polite way of "being" in Japanese

最高の一日を過ごしたいです。

Saikou no ichinichi wo sugoshitai desu

I want to spend the best day possible.

I want to spend the best day.

• 最高の - "better"
• 一日 - "day"
• を - direct object particle
• 過ごしたい - "want to pass"
• です - Verb "to be" in the present tense

私たちは一緒に素晴らしい時間を過ごしました。

Watashitachi wa issho ni subarashii jikan o sugoshimashita

We had a wonderful time together.

We had a wonderful time together.

• 私たちは - 「私たち」
• 一緒に - "Juntos" in Japanese is "一緒に" (issho ni).
• 素晴らしい - "素晴らしい"
• 時間を - "Tempo" in Japanese
• 過ごしました - "Passamos" in Japanese is "私たちは通りました" (Watashitachi wa toorimashita).