solvo
[ˈsɔɫ.woː]
To pay in Latin is solvo. Wiktionary also lists persolvo.
Meaning: to give money in exchange for goods or services (verb)
Ways to say it
| Latin | IPA |
|---|---|
| solvo | [ˈsɔɫ.woː] (Classical Latin, narrow) [ˈsɔl.vo] (narrow) |
| persolvo | [pɛrˈsɔɫ.woː] (Classical Latin, narrow) [perˈsɔl.vo] (narrow) |
The verb solvo is used for the literal act of paying money and also for the figurative act of fulfilling a promise or releasing a person from an obligation. If you wish to refer to the price of something, the Latin word is pretium. Related nouns for money given in return for work include mercēs and manūpretium.
Which one should you use?
While solvo means to pay, persolvo is often used to emphasize paying a debt in full or discharging an obligation completely.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb solvo has an etymological connection to the sense of 'to release' or 'to loosen', which is the root of the English word 'solve'.
Did you know?
- The word solvo can also mean 'to dissolve' a chemical substance or a marriage contract. This reflects the core idea of breaking a bond or separating elements.
- In Roman legal contexts, solvo was used not just for money but to describe the physical release of a prisoner or slave from their bonds.
- While solvo handles the act of paying, Latin uses the word mercēs for wages, which is the root of the English word 'merchandise'.
Examples in context
- Tribus ab hinc annis, octoginta lei solvebam, nunc ducentos solvo.Three years ago, I was paying eighty lei, now I pay two hundred.This sentence is useful for comparing past and present payments using solvo.Tatoeba #11902657 by carlosalberto, translation #11902595 by carlosalberto
- Hoc pretium nunc solvo.I pay this price now.
Example conversation
Claudia is buying a vase from Gaius.
- ClaudiaQuot denarios pro vase solvam?How many denarii do I pay for the vase?
- GaiusDecem denarios solvis.You pay ten denarii.
- ClaudiaEcce, pecuniam solvo.Here, I am paying the money.
- GaiusGratias tibi ago, Claudia.Thank you, Claudia.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “pay” translations and entries solvo, persolvo, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
