What does te pasas mean?

Question

I updated my relationship status to in a relationship with so and so on facebook. I was wondering what does "te pasas" mean in spanish. Like if someone wrote "jajaja te pasas" as a comment to us being in a relationship. Would that be something good or bad? What are they trying to say about our relationship?

Good question, welcome to the site ! - Ox-Y-Gen, Aug 31, 2012

Answer 1

This is a common term in Mexico. It´s used to express surprise over something that you do. It usually is used in a good context given that there are better ways to express negativity. It´s used when you support something but you want to leave yourself a way out or deniability. Like they think what you did is funny or interesting but are pretending not to. For example. Pasarse = to go too far.(One of the meanings)

(Pasarse de la raya.) Its possible that it comes from this term.

• Si... pero, ella no se ve tan bien con la luz...

''Carson! jajaja te pasas!

• Yeah... but, she doesn´t look so good in the light.

''Carson! hahaha oh my god!(no way)(i can´t believe you said that)

So they probably either think its a joke or are kinda saying like.. ''wow you´ve outdone yourself''. Also this is way more common to hear from girls. Also along this same wavelength ''te sales''. Guys generally throw in a little slang ''Te pasas buey'' or ''Te sales buey'' so that it isn´t interpreted as being ''gay''.

Thanks Carson, xcellent explanation. - annierats, Sep 1, 2012

Answer 2

I think this means "what's up", like "what's up with you" which doesn't make much sense given your context. This would normally be said as "qué pasa contigo".

As you are talking about a relationship with someone, could he/she have meant "are you sure" or "you are not going to pass".

Finally could it mean "watch out/steady on/cool it".

Espero haberte ayudado pero, me parece que no.

The above are just conjectures on my part. A native input would be nice. - Eddy, Aug 31, 2012

Yeah, I thought it was something a long those lines. Like she is telling him that this is not right. I think this lady likes my boyfriend. I am going to have to talk him because he told me it was one of his cousins in Mexico when we first started dating. - Cboone03, Aug 31, 2012

No, that isn´t it. I hope you didnt talk to him yet. - Ox-Y-Gen, Sep 1, 2012

Answer 3

Pasarse - to go beyond the call of duty (positive meaning)

Pasarse - to abuse your power or be out of line

Answer 4

¿Cómo te pasa? Can be – How does it happen to you?...when used as an expression. Having said that, we have to be very careful as to how we interpret what was said….that you heard. I agree with my educated friends “gringojrf” and “ Eddy”. It seems to me that a particular part of the wording might be missing.

There are so many ways that we can take those words. But, all we can do at this point is generalize. The problem with generalizing is that we could accidently cause a bigger problem for you. Many Spanish sentences have to be heard in context to fully understand the determined meaning.

We share in your feeling of dispair. We wish that we could do more for you. We also wish for you “ the best of luck and love.” - Viejito

Answer 5

There are two verbs (that I am aware of) the mean "happen". They are suceder and ocirrir. But I find that pasar is used alot in this context as well. So I agree with Eddy on this one. It is an enquiry as to the change in status.

Thanks for your insight as well. - Cboone03, Aug 31, 2012