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pas

/pa/
1.
adverb

not (negation particle used with 'ne'; commonly used without 'ne' in spoken French)

T'inquiète, c'est pas grave.

Don't worry, it's not a big deal.

2.
nounmasculineSing

step (movement of the foot)

pace

step (dance movement)

advance/progress (figurative)

Il a fait un grand pas en avant.

He took a big step forward.

Synonyms:foulée, enjambée, étape

Notes

GENERAL INFO

Pas is primarily an adverb meaning "not," crucial for French negation. It also functions as a masculine noun meaning "step."

USAGE

It forms the second part of the standard negative construction "ne... pas," framing the conjugated verb (e.g., *Je ne parle pas anglais* – I don't speak English).

TRAPS

In informal spoken French, the "ne" part is often dropped entirely, leaving just "pas" to negate the verb (e.g., *Je parle pas anglais*). While common, this remains informal.