How do you use "past" in a sentence?

Let's not dwell on the past. It's half past four. She walked straight past me without saying hello.

past

Q: What does "past" mean?

The time before now; beyond or further than 'Past' as a noun refers to the time that has already happened ('in the past'). As an adjective, it means previous or former ('the past week'). As a preposition, it means beyond in space or time ('walk past the station', 'half past three'). 'Past' can also modify a noun to mean former.

Vocabulary Word BritishAmerican ★★★★★ Very Common Neutral

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Meaning: The time before now; beyond or further than

过去；超过，经过

pasado; más allá de, después de

過去；〜を過ぎて

과거; ~을 지나서

'Past' as a noun refers to the time that has already happened ('in the past'). As an adjective, it means previous or former ('the past week'). As a preposition, it means beyond in space or time ('walk past the station', 'half past three'). 'Past' can also modify a noun to mean former.

「past」作为名词指已经发生的时间（「in the past」）。作为形容词，意为以前的或过去的（「the past week」）。作为介词，意为在空间或时间上超过（「walk past the station」，「half past three」）。「past」也可以修饰名词表示以前的。

«Past» como sustantivo se refiere al tiempo que ya ha ocurrido («in the past»). Como adjetivo, significa anterior o pasado («the past week»). Como preposición, significa más allá en espacio o tiempo («walk past the station», «half past three»). «Past» también puede modificar un sustantivo para significar anterior.

名詞として「past」はすでに起こった時間を指します（「in the past」）。形容詞としては、以前の、過去の（「the past week」）を意味します。前置詞としては、空間や時間において超えることを意味します（「walk past the station」「half past three」）。「past」は名詞を修飾して元〜という意味にもなります。

명사로서 'past'는 이미 일어난 시간('in the past')을 의미합니다. 형용사로는 이전의, 지난('the past week')이라는 뜻입니다. 전치사로는 공간이나 시간상 ~을 지나서라는 뜻입니다('walk past the station', 'half past three'). 'Past'는 명사를 수식하여 이전의라는 뜻으로도 쓰입니다.

Examples

Let's not dwell on the past.
我们不要沉湎于过去。
No nos quedemos en el pasado.
過去にこだわるのはやめましょう。
과거에 얽매이지 맙시다.
It's half past four.
现在四点半了。
Son las cuatro y media.
4時半です。
4시 반입니다.
She walked straight past me without saying hello.
她从我身边走过，什么也没说。
Ella pasó por mi lado sin saludarme.
彼女は挨拶もせずに私の横を通り過ぎました。
그녀는 인사도 없이 제 옆을 지나쳐 갔습니다.

Pronunciation

Usage Guide

Context: general

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

Originally the past participle of 'pass', from Old French 'passer' (to go by), from Latin 'passus' (step, pace). 'Past' literally means 'having passed' — time that has gone by. The spelling diverged from 'passed' to create a distinct word for the adjective, noun, and preposition uses.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal