prestare
/presˈta.re/
To lend in Italian is prestare.
Prestare is used when you allow someone else to use something temporarily. You may also use the phrase in prestito to describe something that is currently on loan.
Meaning: to allow to be used temporarily (verb)
Which one should you use?
While prestare is the standard way to express lending, you may encounter other forms depending on the setting. Concedere in prestito is a formal way to say lend, whereas passare is an informal way to imply lending something temporarily.
How does it change in a sentence?
Prestare is a regular -are verb.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation of prestare is /presˈta.re/. It has 3 syllables, with the stress on the 2nd syllable.
What mistakes should you avoid?
Be careful not to confuse prestare (to lend) with prendere in prestito (to borrow). Prestare describes the act of giving something temporarily, not the act of receiving it.
Did you know?
- In Italian, the verb prestare is used in the phrase prestare giuramento to describe the act of taking a formal oath.
- Beyond lending objects, the phrase prestare attenzione is the standard way to say 'to pay attention' in Italian.
- The idiom prestare il fianco translates literally to 'to lend one's side', but it actually means to make yourself vulnerable to an attack or criticism.
Examples in context
- Mi può prestare un po' di soldi?Can you lend me a little money?This sentence shows how to ask someone to lend you a little money using prestare.Tatoeba #5013578 by Guybrush88, translation #4115134 by CK
- Mi può prestare il suo computer?Can you lend me your computer?This sentence shows how to ask someone to lend you their computer using prestare.Tatoeba #10149034 by Guybrush88, translation #9942660 by ddnktr
- Te ne posso prestare uno se vuoi.I can lend you one if you want.This sentence shows how to offer to lend someone an item using prestare.Tatoeba #3087347 by Guybrush88, translation #1530818 by erikspen
- Vorrei prestarti il mio libro preferito.I'd like to lend you my favorite book.
- La biblioteca concede in prestito numerosi libri.The library lends out many books.
- Posso darti in prestito il mio telefono per un po'?Can I lend you my phone for a while?
- 31 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Martina is looking for a pen in class.
- MartinaLorenzo, mi puoi prestare una penna?Lorenzo, can you lend me a pen?
- LorenzoCerto, ne ho una di riserva.Sure, I have a spare one.
- MartinaGrazie mille, te la restituisco subito.Thanks a lot, I'll give it back to you immediately.
- LorenzoNon c'è problema, Martina.No problem, Martina.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “lend” translations and entries prestare, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
