Spendere vs. passare vs. trascorrere
In Italian, the English verb "to spend" can be translated into spendere, passare, or trascorrere. However, these words are not interchangeable. The correct choice depends entirely on the context, specifically on whether you are spending money, resources, or time, and on the level of formality.
Spendere
A2Primarily, spendere means to spend money or other concrete resources. When used with time, it implies that time is a valuable resource being invested, used up for a specific purpose, or even wasted, much like a financial transaction.
Ho speso troppi soldi durante le vacanze.
(I spent too much money during the holidays.)
Non voglio spendere energie per questa discussione inutile.
(I don't want to spend energy on this useless argument.)
Ha speso tutto il pomeriggio a riparare la bicicletta.
(He spent the whole afternoon fixing the bicycle.)
È importante spendere il proprio tempo in modo saggio.
(It is important to spend one's time wisely.)
Vorrei spendere due parole su questo argomento.
(I would like to say a few words on this topic.)
Passare
A2Passare is the most common and versatile verb for spending time in a general, often informal, way. It simply describes the action of time going by, often while engaged in an activity. It can be used for both short and long periods.
Come hai passato il fine settimana?
(How did you spend the weekend?)
Abbiamo passato le vacanze estive in Grecia.
(We spent the summer holidays in Greece.)
Passo la maggior parte delle mie serate a leggere.
(I spend most of my evenings reading.)
Passiamo un po' di tempo insieme domani pomeriggio?
(Shall we spend some time together tomorrow afternoon?)
Il tempo passa in fretta quando sei in buona compagnia.
(Time passes quickly when you are in good company.)
Trascorrere
B1Trascorrere is used exclusively for spending time and is a more formal or literary alternative to passare. It often emphasizes a longer, continuous period of time, focusing on the experience during that duration.
Ho trascorso la mia infanzia in campagna.
(I spent my childhood in the countryside.)
Amo trascorrere le serate invernali davanti al camino.
(I love to spend winter evenings in front of the fireplace.)
Abbiamo trascorso una bellissima giornata al lago.
(We spent a beautiful day at the lake.)
Il prigioniero trascorse dieci anni in quella cella.
(The prisoner spent ten years in that cell.)
Spero di trascorrere le prossime vacanze in un posto caldo.
(I hope to spend the next holidays in a warm place.)
Summary
In short: use spendere for money and resources, or for time seen as a resource to be invested. Use passare for the general, common act of spending time. Use trascorrere as a more formal or elegant equivalent of passare, especially for significant periods like holidays, childhood, or a pleasant evening.