How to Use "Passare a": Meaning and Practical Examples

Have you ever found yourself wanting to express the idea of “changing,” “starting a new topic,” or “proceeding with something” in Italian and didn’t know which verb to use? You’re not alone! Many L2 Italian learners find it difficult to understand and correctly use Italian phrasal verbs, and Passare a is one of them. This versatile verb is essential for natural speech and will help you communicate in Italian more fluently. In this guide, we will explore the meaning, structure, and use of "Passare a," look at practical examples, and learn how to avoid the most common mistakes. Get ready to master this common Italian expression!

Table of Contents

• What does “Passare a” mean?
• The Grammatical Structure: How Is It Used?
• Sentences and Examples with “Passare a”
• Crucial Differences: Common Mistakes to Avoid
• Similar or Related Expressions
• Conclusion

What does “Passare a” mean?

• Literal Meaning: To physically move from one place or state to another.
  • Example: "Dovremmo passare a un altro tavolo, qui c'è troppo rumore."
• Figurative Meaning: To change topic, activity, phase, or adopt a new solution/method.
  • Example: "È ora di passare a un'altra strategia."

More: Master How to Use Partecipare a in Italian with Practical Examples

The Grammatical Structure: How Is It Used?

The phrasal verb passare a follows a fairly simple structure, but the preposition "a" is crucial and cannot be omitted or replaced. It is constructed as follows:

[Subject] + passare a + [Noun / Pronoun / Verb in the infinitive]

The preposition "a" introduces the “new state,” the “new activity,” or the “new topic” toward which one is moving. If followed by a verb, it will always be in the infinitive. For example, "passare a fare qualcosa" means to start doing something, or to change activity in order to begin the new one.

More: Mastering Ordinare a Usage in Italian Commands and Instructions

Sentences and Examples with “Passare a”

Here are some examples of "Passare a" in real contexts to help you understand how to use it in practical Italian vocabulary:

📍 Work / Meeting

Persona A: "Abbiamo discusso abbastanza di questo punto. Vogliamo passare all'argomento successivo?"

Persona B: "Sì, direi che possiamo tranquillamente **passare a** esaminare le nuove proposte."

📍 Everyday Life / Technology

Persona A: "La mia connessione internet è lentissima, non ce la faccio più!"

Persona B: "Forse dovresti **passare alla** fibra ottica, è molto più veloce."

📍 Personal Projects / Decisions

Persona A: "Ho passato mesi a studiare la teoria, ma ora mi sento pronto."

Persona B: "Perfetto! Allora è il momento di **passare all'azione**."

📍 Diet / Choices

Persona A: "Ho provato a ridurre lo zucchero, ma è difficile."

Persona B: "Potresti **passare a** un dolcificante naturale, all'inizio è strano ma ti abitui."

More: Master How to Use Opporsi a for Effective Italian Communication

Crucial Differences: Common Mistakes to Avoid

One of the most common mistakes concerns the confusion between the verb "passare" alone and "passare a."

Passare (alone) Vs.Passare a (phrasal verb)

• Passare: Means “to cross,” “to spend time,” “to hand something over,” “to overcome.” It does not necessarily imply a change of state or topic, but often an action of transit or duration.

  • Example: "Ho passato la palla a Marco." (I handed the ball over)
  • Example: "Ho passato due ore al parco." (I spent time)
  • Example: "Sono passato dal centro commerciale." (I passed through)

• Passare a: Implies a change, an evolution, a progress toward something new. One “abandons” a previous state to “start” a new one.

  • Example: "Ora possiamo passare al prossimo punto dell'ordine del giorno." (We change topic)
  • Example: "Devo passare a una dieta più equilibrata." (Start a new diet)

Remember: the preposition "a" is what transforms "passare" into a verb of transition toward a new phase, topic, or mode. Without "a," the meaning changes radically.

Similar or Related Expressions

Understanding "Passare a" is a great step toward improving your B1 Italian grammar and beyond. To enrich your vocabulary, here are some expressions with similar or related meanings, useful for expressing the idea of change or transition.

Conclusion

"Passare a" is an essential phrasal verb for expressing transition and change in Italian. Remember that the preposition "a" is fundamental to indicate the shift to a new phase, topic, or activity. Mastering this verb will allow you to express yourself more authentically and fluently in your journey of learning Italian.

Now it’s your turn! Try writing a sentence in the comments using "passare a." For example: "Dopo aver letto questo articolo, sono pronto/a a passare a mettere in pratica questi consigli!" Don’t be afraid to make mistakes; it’s the best way to learn!

To explore the concept of phrasal verbs or verbal phrases in Italian further, you can consult reliable linguistic resources such as Il Vocabolario Treccani which offers various nuances of meaning of the base verb "passare," from which our phrasal verb derives. Although it does not specifically discuss the phrasal verb "passare a" as a single grammatical entity, its definitions help to understand the semantic roots of the verb.