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QUICK ANSWER
"Pasa" is a form of "pasa", a noun which is often translated as "raisin". "Lo que pasa" is a phrase which is often translated as "what happens". Learn more about the difference between "lo que pasa" and "pasa" below.
lo que pasa(
loh
keh
pah
-
sah
)A phrase is a group of words commonly used together (e.g., once upon a time).
a. what happens
El profesor de química explicó lo que pasa cuando se combinan cobre y azufre.The chemistry teacher explained what happens when you combine copper and sulfur.
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
Entiendo que es importante cumplir los plazos, lo que pasa es que necesitaría tal vez un par de días más para acabar el encargo.I understand it is important to meet the deadlines, the thing is I need maybe a couple more days to finish the assignment.
Claro que sé cómo te sientes. Lo que pasa es que tú no dejas que nadie te ayude.Of course I know how you feel, but the fact is that you won't let anyone help you.
la pasa(
pah
-
sah
)A feminine noun is almost always used with feminine articles and adjectives (e.g., la mujer bonita, la luna llena).
a. raisin
Marisol se acaba de comer una caja entera de pasas.Marisol just ate an entire box of raisins.
¿Por qué le pusiste pasas al relleno? ¡Sabes que las odio!Why did you add raisins to the stuffing? You know I hate them!
