When you hear pass in German, it could mean a few different things — a travel document, a mountain crossing, or even a soccer play. But if you hear it without any added words, there’s one meaning that usually comes first: passport.
The German word is der Pass, and the plural is die Pässe. It’s a masculine noun, and if you’re still working on getting comfortable with articles and noun gender, my video lesson on gender can help clarify the system.
This is one of the 1000 most frequently used nouns in German, and you’ll see it often at borders, airports, in news reports, and in any conversation that touches on identity or travel.
Here’s how it appears in each grammatical case:
Nominative:
Der Pass ist abgelaufen.
The passport has expired.
Accusative:
Ich habe den Pass vergessen!
I forgot the passport!
Dative:
Er zeigt dem Polizisten den Pass.
He shows the officer the passport.
Genitive:
Die Nummer des Passes ist wichtig.
The number of the passport is important.
In everyday German, Pass is used in phrases like einen Pass beantragen (to apply for a passport), den Pass zeigen (to show your passport), or ohne Pass reisen (to travel without a passport). It’s also found in compound words like Reisepass (travel passport), Personalausweis (ID card — not a Pass, but often confused), and Gebirgspass (mountain pass).
The plural form Pässe usually comes up when talking about multiple travel documents — for example, in families with dual nationality or for checking at airports: Alle Pässe bitte! You’ll also hear Pässe kontrollieren at borders or during official checks.
Here's how Pass might appear in a casual exchange:
A: Hast du deinen Pass dabei?
B: Mist, ich glaube, der ist noch zu Hause!
A: Do you have your passport with you?
B: Damn, I think it’s still at home!
Now it’s time for you to speak. Take a moment, think about your answer, and say it aloud in German. You don’t need to write anything down — just focus on fluency. Be sure to use the word Pass or Pässe in your answer.
“Wohin würdest du reisen, wenn du einen Pass aus jedem Land der Welt hättest?”
Where would you travel if you had a passport from every country in the world?
German Word of the Day
Now you’ve learned how to say pass in German and how to use der Pass in everyday contexts — from travel planning to border checks. The plural form Pässe opens even more room for real-life conversation.
Download the free illustrated PDF of the 1000 most frequently used nouns in German and keep adding the most useful words to your toolkit.
Ready for more German Words of the Day?
Explore Patient — a word you’ll hear in every clinic and hospital.
Or revisit Pflicht — and see how Germans talk about responsibility.