phrase

qué pasa

kay PAH-sah

Qué pasa (phrase) means a Spanish greeting meaning 'what's happening?' or 'what's up?', used in English as a casual hello. Example: “Qué pasa, man — long time no see.”

phrase

informal A Spanish greeting meaning 'what's happening?' or 'what's up?', used in English as a casual hello.

"Qué pasa, man — long time no see."

"He answered the phone with a cheerful 'qué pasa?'"

A genuine question asking what is going on or what is wrong.

"You've gone quiet — qué pasa?"

How to Use Qué pasa

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishSpanish for 'what's up?'

When to use it

Informal. Written properly with an accent on qué and question marks either side (¿qué pasa?), though English speakers usually drop both.

Memory tip

Use it as a greeting to someone you already know; it is too casual for a stranger, a boss or a formal setting.

Trace the full origin ↓

Easily confused with

qué pasó → qué tal → cómo estás

Common pairings

qué pasa amigo hey, qué pasa

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Fill the Gap

Can you complete this real example?

_____, man — long time no see.

Etymology

Spanish qué 'what' plus pasa, third person singular of pasar 'to happen, to pass'.

Origin: Spanish

Synonyms

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what's up what's happening how's it going what's wrong what's going on

Related Words

hello wsg WTW qué pasó qué tal

Rhymes for qué pasa

Asa casa vasa masa rasa Nasa Lhasa Mombasa

See all rhymes for qué pasa →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between qué pasa and qué pasó?

Qué pasa is present tense — 'what's happening?' — and works as a greeting. Qué pasó is past tense — 'what happened?' — and asks about a specific event that has already taken place.

How do you reply to qué pasa?

As a greeting it barely needs an answer: nada ('nothing'), todo bien ('all good') or aquí, tranquilo ('just taking it easy') all work. If it was a real question, just say what is going on.

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