Translation and Meaning of: 過ごす - sugosu

The Japanese word 過ごす (すごす) is a common verb in everyday life, but it can generate doubts for language learners. Its main meaning involves the idea of "ing time" or "living a period," but its usage goes beyond that. In this article, we will explore how this word is applied in different contexts, its origin, and even tips for memorizing it effectively. If you've ever wondered how the Japanese use 過ごす in daily life or how to differentiate it from similar , keep reading.

Meaning and use of 過ごす

過ごす is a verb that conveys the idea of spending time in a certain way. It can mean anything from "enjoying a moment" to simply "living a specific period." For example, saying "夏休みを楽しく過ごした" (natsuyasumi o tanoshiku sugoshita) indicates that someone enjoyed the summer vacation in a fun way.

The interesting thing is that 過ごす does not limit itself to positive experiences. It can also be used in neutral or even negative contexts, as in "時間を無駄に過ごした" (jikan o muda ni sugoshita), which means "I spent time wasting it." This flexibility allows the verb to appear in various situations, from informal conversations to more formal texts.

Origin and writing of kanji

The kanji 過 is composed of the radical 辶 (which indicates movement) combined with 咼, suggesting the idea of "ing through something" or "transcurring." This composition reflects well the meaning of the verb, as 過ごす is related to the age of time or the way we experience certain moments. It is worth noting that the reading すごす is the most common, but the same kanji can have other pronunciations, such as か in words like 過去 (kako - past).

One curiosity is that 過ごす is sometimes confused with 暮らす (kurasu), which also means "to live." However, while 暮らす refers more to general lifestyle, 過ごす is more related to specific periods. This subtle difference is important for those who want to speak Japanese more naturally.

Tips for memorizing and using 過ごす

An effective way to memorize 過ごす is to associate it with everyday situations. Think about how you "spent" your weekend or how you "lived" an important holiday. Creating sentences like "週末をゆっくり過ごす" (spending the weekend calmly) helps to internalize the verb in your active vocabulary.

Another tip is to pay attention to the usage of 過ごす in dramas or animes, where it often appears in dialogues about routine and personal experiences. Hearing the verb in real contexts makes it easier to understand the nuances that dictionaries do not always explain. With practice, using 過ごす correctly becomes intuitive.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Verb conjugation of 過ごす

• 過ごします - polite form
• 過ごせる - potential
• 過ごせます - educated potential
• 過ごされる - ive
• 過ごせば - conditional
• 過ごしている - te-form

Synonyms and similar words

• 過ぎる (sugiru) - , exceed
• 過ぎ去る (sugisaru) - spend (time), leave
• 過ぎ去す (sugisusu) - let , allow something to
• 過ぎ廻る (sugimawaru) - circular around, go around
• 過ぎ越す (sugikosu) - over, sur
• 過ぎ離れる (sugihanareru) - stay away, keep your distance
• 過ぎ去り行く (sugisarikiku) - leave, by
• 過ぎ去り過ぎる (sugisarizugiru) - to and , to leave too much
• 過ぎ去り去る (sugisarigaru) - let go and leave, go away at once