pagar una factura
/paɡaɾ una faɡtuɾa/from spelling rules
To pay a bill in Spanish is to pagar una factura.
The phrase is used when you are giving money to a company for a service you have used.
Which one should you use?
While factura is used for official invoices or utility bills, cuenta is the standard term for a bill at a restaurant or cafe. In many Spanish-speaking contexts, monthly utility bills (water, electricity, etc.) are often referred to as recibos rather than facturas.
How do you pronounce it?
/paɡaɾ una faɡtuɾa/
Did you know?
- In Argentina, the word factura does not just refer to an invoice, but is the standard term for various types of pastries.
- The verb pagar actually originates from the Latin word for 'to pacify' or 'to make peace'.
- In Spain, asking for the bill at a restaurant using la cuenta is often accompanied by a specific hand gesture of writing in the air with an imaginary pen.
Examples in context
- Disculpe, ¿dónde puedo pagar la cuenta de la electricidad?Excuse me, where can I pay the electricity bill?
- Por favor, necesito abonar la factura a nombre de la empresa.Please, I need to settle the invoice on behalf of the company.
- Es importante saldar la deuda antes de la fecha límite.It's important to settle the debt before the deadline.
- Oye, ¿ya pagaste la cuenta del restaurante?Hey, did you already pay the restaurant bill?
- Mi compañero de piso acaba de abonar el recibo del teléfono.My roommate just paid the phone bill.
- No puedo salir este fin de semana, necesito ponerme al día con los pagos pendientes.I can't go out this weekend, I need to catch up on pending payments.
- Acabo de pagar el alquiler, así que estoy un poco ajustado de dinero.I just paid the rent, so I'm a bit tight on money.
- Tengo que pagar una factura hoy.I have to pay a bill today.
- ¿Puedes pagar una factura de la luz?Can you pay an electricity bill?
- Él olvidó pagar una factura el mes pasado.He forgot to pay a bill last month.
Example conversation
María and Mateo are talking about their monthly expenses.
- MaríaMateo, ¿ya pudiste pagar una factura de la luz?Mateo, were you able to pay an electricity bill yet?
- MateoNo, todavía no he tenido tiempo.No, I haven't had time yet.
- MaríaEs mejor hacerlo ahora para evitar recargos.It is better to do it now to avoid late fees.
- MateoTienes razón, lo haré ahora mismo.You are right, I will do it right now.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries factura, pagar, una, CC BY-SA 4.0.
