Pasar "To Spend Time"

Question

Hello All,

I have a question about the use of "se la pasa" in this sentence.

"Ese tipo se la pasa mirando la foto de ella."

Could someone explain to me the meaning of "se la pasa" in this sentence? I know that "se" has many meanings depending on how it is used. "La" is the third person (female) singular pronoun. "Pasa" is the third person conjugation of the verb pasar.

I want to understand the grammar and its function in the sentence.

P.S. If this question has been asked and answered, please include a link. Thanks,

Answer 1

"Se la pasa" To know what the "la" stands for, I would need to know if there was an antecedent. A little more context might help.

"Se le pasa is very common and has various meaning according to context."

I hope you can give a little more detail.

:) - FELIZ77, Sep 19, 2016

:) - rac1, Sep 20, 2016

Answer 2

"Se la pasa" means that the person is usually doing something.. "se la pasa viendo television" the person spend a lot of time seing tv.
Sory my english, im learning..

Welcome to the Q&A forum. You're getting there. "The person spends a lot of time watching TV." "Sorry for my English, I'm learning." :) - rac1, Sep 20, 2016

thank you :) - Kata1985, Sep 20, 2016

Answer 3

se la is used for both él and ella. It's a way to substitute the pronoun. Sometimes its use is unnecessary when the subject is already mentioned.

1. Este tipo se la pasa mirando la foto de ella. (= este tipo pasa mirando...)
2. Se la pasa dándome órdenes. (= ella pasa dándome órdenes.)

Answer 4

Thanks!

Here is another sentence that hopefully will provide a better context.

"¡Dana es una mandona! Se la pasa dándome órdenes.

I understand the first part of the sentence: Dana is bossy" The second part "Se la pasa dándome órdenes" I'm confused with.

I know that "dándome órdenes" translates to "gives me orders."

So my question is: what does the "se la" mean.

Edit your post. The answer box is not meant for the people to post comments or to add more information. - Oshnaj, Sep 20, 2016