Spanish Phrase
¿Aprobaste el examen?
Meaning
Literally, “Did you pass the exam?” It asks whether the listener succeeded in a recent test. The tone can be friendly, curious, or supportive depending on context.
When to use
Use this phrase right after a test, when you want to check a classmate’s or friend’s result. It’s informal, so reserve it for people you address with ‘tú’. For a formal setting, say “¿Aprobó el examen?”
✦Grammar Breakdown
¿Aprobasteelexamen?
Aprobar (preterite)
Aprobar means ‘to pass’. In the preterite, the tú form is ‘aprobaste’, indicating a completed action.
Definite article el
‘el’ is the masculine singular definite article used before ‘examen’, a masculine noun.
Question marks
Spanish uses an opening (¿) and closing (?) question mark for all interrogative sentences.
🗨In Conversation
¿Aprobaste el examen?
Did you pass the exam?
Sí, lo aprobé con 8.5. ¡Gracias por preguntar!
Yes, I passed it with an 8.5. Thanks for asking!
✕Common Mistakes
¿Aprobó el examen?
Do not confuse with ‘aprobó’, which is the formal third‑person form.
¿Aprobaste la examen?
If the exam is feminine (e.g., ‘prueba’), use ‘la’ instead of ‘el’.
¿Aprobaste y pasaste el examen?
Learners sometimes use ‘pasaste’ with ‘aprobaste’; pick one verb.
↔Alternatives
¿Pasaste el examen?
Did you pass the exam?
¿Cómo te fue en el examen?
How did you do on the exam?
¿Obtuviste una buena nota?
Did you get a good grade?
Cultural Tip
In many Spanish‑speaking countries, asking about academic performance is a common way to show care. Keep the register in mind: ‘¿Aprobaste…?’ is casual; for teachers or older adults use the formal ‘¿Aprobó…?’ or add a polite phrase like ‘Disculpe, ¿aprobó el examen?’