The phrase you mean is spelled "pass auf" with double s, coming from the verb "aufpassen" which is a separable verb meaning "to pay attention, to watch out, to be careful." "Pass auf" is the imperative form for du, informal you, so it means "Watch out!" or "Pay attention!" or "Be careful!" For example, a mother might say to her child "Pass auf, die Straße!" meaning "Watch out for the street!" or "Pass auf, das ist heiß!" meaning "Be careful, that is hot!" The formal version for strangers would be "Passen Sie auf." The plural for a group of friends would be "Passt auf." There is also the related phrase "Pass auf dich auf" meaning "Take care of yourself." If someone says "Pass mal auf" it means "Listen up" or "Pay attention for a second," often before explaining something important. In everyday speech you will also hear "Aufgepasst!" which is like "Attention!" So while "pas" alone is not correct German, "pass auf" is extremely common and is used as a warning, a call for attention, or a caring reminder to be safe. It is pronounced "pahs owf."
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