pagare
/paˈɡa.re/
In Italian, "to pay" is pagare.
The most common and versatile word for "to pay" is pagare, used when giving money in exchange for goods or services. For instance, you can use the specific phrase pagare il conto to refer to paying a restaurant bill or a check.
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb pagare has several common forms: the past participle is pagato, the first person singular future tense is pagherò and the second person singular present tense is paghi (which can mean "you pay" or "I pay" depending on context).
How do you pronounce it?
pagare is pronounced /paˈɡa.re/. It has three syllables, with the stress on the second syllable.
Did you know?
- The word pagare is a distant relative of the English word 'peace'. It shares a root with the Latin 'pax', suggesting that to 'pay' someone was originally to 'pacify' or settle a dispute.
- In many Italian regions, when you want to 'pay' for a round of drinks for your friends, you don't just 'pay the bill', you 'offri' (offer) a round, which sounds more like a gift than a commercial transaction.
- In Italian, you can use pagare to mean 'to suffer the consequences'. The phrase pagare caro literally means 'to pay dearly' but is used when someone faces a harsh penalty for a mistake.
Examples in context
- Tocca a me pagare.It's my turn to pay.This sentence shows how to use pagare when expressing it is one's turn to pay.Tatoeba #6536711 by Guybrush88, translation #6532295 by CK
- Tocca a te pagare.It's your turn to pay.This sentence shows how to use pagare when expressing it is your turn to pay.Tatoeba #6545122 by Guybrush88, translation #6532167 by CK
- Non si deve pagare.You don't have to pay.This sentence shows how to use pagare in a negative sentence stating one does not have to pay.Tatoeba #3256409 by Guybrush88, translation #3256373 by CM
- Vorrei pagare, per favore.I would like to pay, please.
- Possiamo saldare il conto?Can we pay the bill?
- Devo sborsare ancora qualche soldo.I have to pay a bit more.
- 292 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
At a small cafe in Rome.
- SofiaMatteo, dobbiamo pagare il conto.Matteo, we have to pay the bill.
- MatteoVa bene, Sofia, pago io.Alright, Sofia, I'll pay.
- SofiaGrazie, sei molto gentile.Thank you, you are very kind.
- MatteoDi nulla, non è un problema.No problem, it is nothing.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry pagare, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries pagare, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
