Meaning of "passer"

Tom G.C1Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor

Meaning of "passer"

Hi,

In the sentence, "au point de faire systématiquement passer nos besoins avant les siens," please explain the usage of "passer" in this case. It doesn't follow the other examples used in the lesson.

Thanks

Asked 3 years ago
CécileKwiziq team memberCorrect answer

Hi Tom,

The expression is -

faire passer quelque chose avant autre chose = to prioritize something over something else

I am not fully satisfied with my English translation but that's all I can come up with at the moment.

Hope this helps!

 

Jim J.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor

Hi Tom,

As you may already be aware the verb passer can have numerous meanings, for example, céder / donner.

So "au point de faire systématiquement passer nos besoins avant (ahead of) les siens,"

could take the meaning of "giving" "allowing" "yielding" their needs to take place after those of others. In other words selfless behaviour.

Hope this helps.

Jim

Tom G.C1Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor

Thanks to both Cecile and Jim for the clarification. Cecile's example of "faire passer quelque chose avant autre chose = to prioritize something over something else" was especially helpful. I don't remember seeing this usage before. 

It was confusing because the "All related grammar and vocab." section points you to the Lesson on "Passer, se passer, se passer de (different meanings of 'passer')", but that section doesn't apply in this case. It's more like using the causative faire ... passer.

CécileKwiziq team member

Hi Tom, 

on reflection, I see your point about the related grammar and vocab and will query this with Aurélie next week.

There is another passer ( du temps) in the text so another lesson may be more appropriate.

mais on passera notre vie à tenter de...

Meaning of "passer"

Hi,

In the sentence, "au point de faire systématiquement passer nos besoins avant les siens," please explain the usage of "passer" in this case. It doesn't follow the other examples used in the lesson.

Thanks

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