"Qué pasa" is a common Spanish expression used to ask 'what's happening' or 'what's going on.' It is often used informally to inquire about a situation or someone's condition, as in the question '¿Qué pasa si no llegas a tiempo mañana?' which means 'What happens if you don't arrive on time tomorrow?'
Translations
what's wrong
wat is er aan de hand
què passa
qu'est-ce qui se passe
was ist los
Etymology
The phrase "qué pasa" comes from the Spanish words 'qué,' meaning 'what,' and 'pasa,' from the verb 'pasar,' meaning 'to happen' or 'to pass.' It literally translates to 'what happens.' This expression has been used colloquially in Spanish-speaking cultures for centuries as a way to check on situations or people's well-being.
Learn to use this expression actively
"Qué pasa" appears in the Vocaplus list "Spanish - General - Modismos y refranes - (A1) - parte 1", containing 112 commonly used expressions.
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