Ways to say it
| Italian | IPA |
|---|---|
| restituire | /res.ti.tuˈi.re/ |
| ripagare | /ri.paˈɡa.re/ |
Both verbs mean to pay back, but they are used in different contexts. restituire is used when you are returning something to its owner, while ripagare can be used for debts or in a more figurative sense, such as repaying a kindness.
Which one should you use?
The choice between these words depends on your focus. Use restituire when the emphasis is on returning a specific object or a specific sum of money to its owner. Use ripagare when you want to express the act of repaying, which often carries a figurative connotation like requiting a favor.
How does it change in a sentence?
When attaching the direct object pronoun lo (it) to the infinitive form of these verbs, you must drop the final e. For example, restituire becomes restituirlo (to pay it back/return it) and ripagare becomes ripagarlo (to repay it).
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation of restituire is /res.ti.tuˈi.re/. It has 5 syllables, with the stress on the 4th syllable.
Did you know?
- The verb ripagare is often used in the phrase ripagare con la stessa moneta, which means to pay someone back in their own coin or to give them a taste of their own medicine.
- The word ripagare can also be used to describe a reward from fate or God, such as when a person's hard work is finally paid back with success.
- The word restituire is a direct descendant of the Latin 'rēstituere', which meant 'to set up again' or 'to replace'.
Examples in context
- Dovresti ripagare i tuoi debiti.You should pay back your debts.This sentence shows how to use ripagare regarding debts.Tatoeba #6453330 by Guybrush88, translation #16014 by 6dDcHYgMAg
- Dobbiamo restituire i soldi in settimana.We are to pay back the money within the week.This sentence shows how to use restituire regarding money.Tatoeba #2686154 by Guybrush88, translation #248700 by Dejo
- La famiglia è troppo povera per ripagare i debiti.The family is too poor to pay back the debts.Tatoeba #350437 by martin, translation #49305 by mcq
- Devo rimborsare il prestito che mi hai concessoI must pay back the loan you granted me
- Gli devo restituire i soldi che mi ha prestatoI need to pay back the money he lent me
- Ho intenzione di liquidare il mio debito nei prossimi giorniI intend to pay back my debt in the next few days
- Gli devo rendere i soldi che mi ha prestato ieriI need to pay him back the money he lent me yesterday
- Finalmente posso restituirti quei soldi che ti avevo preso in prestitoFinally, I can pay you back that money I borrowed from you
- 5 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Alessandro and Chiara are discussing a small loan at a cafe.
- AlessandroTi posso restituire i soldi domani?Can I pay you back the money tomorrow?
- ChiaraSì, non c'è problema, Alessandro.Yes, no problem, Alessandro.
- AlessandroGrazie mille per l'aiuto.Thank you so much for the help.
- ChiaraDi nulla, figurati!You're welcome, don't mention it!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “pay back” translations and entries restituire, ripagare, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries restituire, ripagare, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
