過ごす・過す|すごすsugosu[2]nakadaka (mid-high)
This browser can't play pronunciations (needs Safari 18.4 or later, or Chrome / Edge / Firefox).
Which spelling to use
過ごす過ごす（すごす） is the most common written form of this verb and the form learners should normally choose. It is suitable as the usual written form wherever this verb is needed.
過す過す（すごす） is a less common written variant of 過ごす（すごす）; learners are less likely to encounter it and should generally prefer 過ごす（すごす）.
Definitions
- godan verb, transitive verbto spend (time); to pass; to lead (a life); to live
- godan verb, transitive verbto overdo (esp. alcohol consumption); to drink (alcohol); to carry too far; to carry to excess
- godan verb, transitive verbto take care of; to support
- suffix, godan verbto overdo; to do too muchafter the -masu stem of a verb
- suffix, godan verbto ... without acting on it; to ... without getting involvedafter the -masu stem of a verb
Conjugation
| Dictionary form | 過ごす（すごす） |
|---|---|
| Polite (masu) | 過ごします（すごします） |
| Negative (nai) | 過ごさない（すごさない） |
| polite (masen) | 過ごしません（すごしません） |
| classical zu / nu | 過ごさず・過ごさぬ（すごさず・すごさぬ） |
| Past (ta) | 過ごした（すごした） |
| polite (mashita) | 過ごしました（すごしました） |
| Past negative (nakatta) | 過ごさなかった（すごさなかった） |
| polite (masen deshita) | 過ごしませんでした（すごしませんでした） |
| Te form | 過ごして（すごして） |
| Potential | 過ごせる（すごせる） |
| Passive | 過ごされる（すごされる） |
| Causative | 過ごさせる（すごさせる） |
| Causative passive | 過ごさせられる（すごさせられる） |
| Conditional (ba) | 過ごせば（すごせば） |
| tara | 過ごしたら（すごしたら） |
| Volitional | 過ごそう（すごそう） |
| polite (mashou) | 過ごしましょう（すごしましょう） |
| Imperative | 過ごせ（すごせ） |
Common forms generated by rule; see the senses for honorific or irregular usage.
Transitive / intransitive pair
時間が過ぎる
時間を過ごす
過ぎる (intransitive) presents time as passing on its own or exceeding a point, while 過ごす (transitive) focuses on a person deliberately spending or passing time.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Synonyms & antonyms
- Synonym暮らすくらすNeutralRefers to living or getting by day to day, with the focus on daily life; 「過ごす」 centers on how a stretch of time is spent.
- Synonym明かすあかすNeutralIn this sense, spending a night through until morning, as in 「一夜を明かす」, whether awake or asleep; the object is limited to the night.
- Related生きるいきるNeutralMeans to be alive or to exist, with the focus on life itself; 「過ごす」 is about how time is spent.
- RelatedやっていくCasualColloquial: to manage a living or get along with people, as in 「何とかやって行く」.
Use 「過ごす」 for spending a period of time. For daily life and living day to day, say 「暮らす」; for being alive, 「生きる」; for getting through a night until morning, 「夜を明かす」; and colloquially for getting by, 「やって行く」.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese definitions
Kanji in this word
English equivalents
