préstame algo de dinero
/pɾestame alɡo de dineɾo/from spelling rules
To say "lend me some money" in Spanish, use préstame algo de dinero.
This phrase is a request to borrow a sum of money from someone with the intention of paying it back.
What does it mean word for word?
The word préstame is a combination of the imperative verb prestar (to lend) and the object pronoun me (me).
Which one should you use?
While prestar means "to lend" (giving something temporarily), you should use the phrase pedir prestado if you want to say "to borrow" (requesting to use something).
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
You should use présteme algo de dinero instead when asking a person of authority or someone you do not know well.
How does it change in a sentence?
In the imperative form préstame, the accent mark on the é is required to maintain the stress on the original verb root when the pronoun is attached.
How do you pronounce it?
/pɾestame alɡo de dineɾo/
Did you know?
- Asking for a loan in many Spanish cultures is often phrased as asking for a favor to avoid making the request feel like a cold financial transaction.
- The word algo descends from the Latin aliquod, which means 'somehow' or 'something', forming the basis for the English word 'aliquot' used in mathematics.
- In several regional Spanish dialects, the strict distinction between the verbs for 'to lend' and 'to borrow' collapses, allowing prestar to cover both directions of the transaction.
Examples in context
- ¿Podría prestarme algo de dinero, por favor?Could you lend me some money, please?
- Me preguntaba si podría hacerme el favor de prestarme dinero.I was wondering if you could do me the favor of lending me some money.
- Le ruego que considere prestarme dinero en este momento difícil.I beg you to consider lending me some money in this difficult moment.
- Oye, necesito que me eches una mano con algo de dinero.Hey, I need you to give me a hand with some money.
- Amigo, ¿me puedes prestar algo de dinero? Te lo devolveré lo antes posible.Friend, can you lend me some money? I'll pay you back as soon as possible.
- ¿Podría prestarme $50, por favor?Could you lend me $50, please?
- ¿Puedes prestarme algo de dinero?Can you lend me some money?
- Préstame algo de dinero para el bus.Lend me some money for the bus.
- Por favor, préstame algo de dinero hoy.Please, lend me some money today.
- Préstame algo de dinero y te lo devuelvo mañana.Lend me some money and I will pay you back tomorrow.
Example conversation
Mateo asks Elena for help at a cafe.
- MateoElena, ¿me puedes ayudar?Elena, can you help me?
- Elena¿Qué necesitas, Mateo?What do you need, Mateo?
- MateoPréstame algo de dinero, por favor.Lend me some money, please.
- ElenaEstá bien, te daré veinte euros.Alright, I will give you twenty euros.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries algo, de, dinero, CC BY-SA 4.0.
