過ごします（すごします、sugoshimaす）
- to spend time

The Japanese verb 過ごします過ごします means "to spend time," "to pass time," or "to live." It implies how one utilizes or experiences a certain period, whether it's a day, a week, a vacation, or a lifetime. The focus is on the *manner* in which time is experienced rather than the specific actions performed, although actions often contribute to how time is 過ごします過ごします. The nuance includes activities, feelings, and the overall experience during that time. It's often used when talking about leisure activities, holidays, or daily routines.

⚫︎夏休みをどのように過ごしましたか？ Translation: How did you spend your summer vacation? ⚫︎週末は家でゆっくり過ごします。 Translation: I will spend the weekend relaxing at home. ⚫︎楽しい時間を過ごしました。 Translation: I had a good time.

⚫︎過ごします過ごします is used in various contexts to talk about spending or passing time. ⚫︎ It can be used to describe specific activities: * For example: 友達と映画を見て過ごします (I will spend time watching a movie with friends.) ⚫︎ Or to describe the general experience: * For example: 静かな時間を過ごしました (I spent a quiet time.) ⚫︎ It is often used with time phrases like: * 今日 (today), 明日 (tomorrow), 週末 (weekend), 夏休み (summer vacation), 一日 (one day), etc. ⚫︎ It is also used when discussing how someone is living their life generally: * 健康な生活を過ごしたいです (I want to live a healthy life.)

⚫︎ The base form is 過ごす. ⚫︎ The polite form is 過ごします過ごします, which is commonly used in daily conversation. ⚫︎ It is written in hiragana as すごしますすごします. ⚫︎ The kanji form is 過ごす, which can be used, but hiragana is more frequent, especially in modern writing. ⚫︎ Variations in okurigana (the suffix hiragana) are not common, but are typically fixed.

⚫︎ 過ごす can be considered its own synonym. ⚫︎ Other words with similar meanings, but with slightly different nuances: * 過ごす過ごす : to spend time, to pass time (general) * 暮らす: to live (a lifestyle), to dwell * 過ごす過ごす (for a specific activity) * 過ごす過ごす: (for events or situations)

There aren't direct antonyms, as the concept is about spending time, and time always passes. However, you can phrase the opposite by changing the experience. For instance: ⚫︎ Instead of saying spending time well, you could say: * つまらない時間を過ごしました (I spent a boring time)

週末は家族と公園でピクニックをして過ごします。 ・Translation: I will spend the weekend having a picnic in the park with my family. ・Explanation: This sentence describes how someone plans to spend their weekend, focusing on the activity and the company.

新しい国で、毎日が新鮮で楽しい時間を過ごしています。 ・Translation: In a new country, I'm spending every day with fresh and enjoyable time. ・Explanation: This sentence expresses how the person is experiencing life in a new place, highlighting the enjoyment of the new environment and daily experiences.

The verb 過ごす is composed of the kanji 過 (sugiru, meaning "to pass") and the verb stem す. The "go" of 過ごす means to spend or pass. The original meaning relates to the passage of time or something passing by. The modern usage, 過ごす過ごす, implies a richer meaning including how someone *experiences* the passing of that time.