pagar
/paˈɡaɾ/
To pay in Spanish is pagar.
The verb pagar is used to describe the act of giving money to someone in exchange for goods or services. When you want to specify the item or service you are paying for, use the preposition por. To indicate the person receiving the money, use the preposition a followed by their name or a pronoun.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Mexico and some parts of Central America, you may hear the verb cubrir used synonymously with to pay.
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb follows the pattern pagar algo a alguien, meaning to pay something to someone. In this structure, the thing being paid is the direct object and the person receiving it is the indirect object. Note that pago can function as the first-person singular present indicative form (I pay), but it is also the word for the noun 'payment' (el pago).
How do you pronounce it?
/paˈɡaɾ/
Did you know?
- The phrase pagar los platos rotos literally means 'to pay for the broken plates' but is used to mean taking the blame for something you did not do.
- The verb pagar actually shares an ancient root with the word for 'peace', paz. Historically, to pay someone was seen as a way to pacify or settle a conflict.
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, it is common for one person to pagar the entire bill for a group and let others pay them back later rather than splitting the check.
Examples in context
- Te negaste a pagar.You refused to pay.This sentence is useful for showing the use of pagar in a negative context.Tatoeba #2970243 by pipus_net, translation #2969891 by ddnktr
- No es necesario pagar.There's no need to pay.This sentence demonstrates how to express that there is no necessity to use pagar.Tatoeba #4598014 by cueyayotl, translation #3821567 by CK
- ¿Es mi turno de pagar?Is it my turn to pay?This sentence is a way to ask if it is one's turn to use pagar.Tatoeba #5322258 by baudelaire, translation #3411015 by CK
- Debo pagar la cuenta.I have to pay the bill.
- Él paga el alquiler mensualmente.He pays the rent monthly.
- Por favor, abone la factura antes de la fecha límite.Please pay the invoice before the due date.
- El cliente abonó su deuda puntualmente.The customer paid their debt promptly.
- Voy a pagar la cena.I'm going to pay for dinner.
- ¡No te preocupes por la cuenta, yo pago!Don't worry about the bill, I'll pay!
- Me abonarás la entrada del concierto, ¿verdad?You'll pay for my concert ticket, right?
- Voy a pagar por el libro.I am going to pay for the book.
- Quiero pagar a Juan.I want to pay Juan.
- Vamos a pagar con tarjeta.We are going to pay with a card.
- Tengo que pagar la factura del teléfono.I have to pay the phone bill.
- ¿Podrías abonar tu parte del alquiler?Could you pay your share of the rent?
- Los turistas deben pagar la entrada al museo.Tourists must pay the museum entrance fee.
- Mamá cubrió la cuenta del restaurante.Mom paid the restaurant bill.
- 177 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
María and Alejandro are at a restaurant.
- MaríaVoy a pagar la cuenta hoy.I am going to pay the bill today.
- AlejandroNo, yo quiero pagar.No, I want to pay.
- MaríaEstá bien, Alejandro, gracias.That is fine, Alejandro, thank you.
- AlejandroDe nada, María.You are welcome, María.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry pagar, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries pagar, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
