Dépenser vs. passer
In French, the English verb to spend translates to either dépenser or passer, but they are never interchangeable. The correct choice depends entirely on whether you are spending resources or spending time.
Dépenser
A2The verb dépenser is used when you are spending money, financial resources, or physical energy. You should use dépenser to describe the exchange of currency for goods and services, or the physical consumption of effort and calories.
J'aime dépenser mon argent dans les boutiques de vêtements.
(I like to spend my money in clothing stores.)
Nous allons dépenser une fortune pour ces vacances en famille.
(We are going to spend a fortune for this family vacation.)
Il ne faut pas dépenser toute ton énergie le premier jour du voyage.
(You must not spend all your energy on the first day of the trip.)
Elle a dépensé plus de cent euros au supermarché ce matin.
(She spent more than one hundred euros at the supermarket this morning.)
Le gouvernement va dépenser des millions pour rénover le musée.
(The government is going to spend millions to renovate the museum.)
Tu dois faire du sport régulièrement pour dépenser des calories.
(You must exercise regularly to spend calories.)
Passer
A1The verb passer is used exclusively when you are spending time. You use passer to talk about durations, such as spending hours, days, vacations, or general moments engaging in an activity or staying in a particular place.
Je vais passer le week-end chez mes parents à la campagne.
(I am going to spend the weekend at my parents' house in the countryside.)
Nous avons passé un très bon moment au restaurant hier soir.
(We spent a very good time at the restaurant last night.)
Il passe toutes ses journées à lire devant la cheminée.
(He spends all his days reading in front of the fireplace.)
Elle a passé trois heures à réviser pour cet examen de mathématiques.
(She spent three hours studying for this math exam.)
Ils espèrent passer leurs prochaines vacances d'été au bord de la mer.
(They hope to spend their next summer vacation by the sea.)
Ne passe pas trop de temps devant l'écran de ton ordinateur.
(Do not spend too much time in front of your computer screen.)
Summary
To summarize, you must choose dépenser when referring to financial expenditure or physical energy, and use passer when discussing durations of time. A simple rule is to remember that if a clock or calendar measures it, you need passer, but if a bank account or battery measures it, you need dépenser.