tú pagas
/tu paɡas/from spelling rules
The English phrase 'you pay' is translated into Spanish as tú pagas.
This phrase is used to make a statement indicating that the person being spoken to is responsible for paying the bill.
Which one should you use?
tú pagas is used for friends or peers, whereas Usted paga is the correct form to use when addressing someone formally, such as a customer or an elder.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Argentina, Vos pagás is an informal way to say "you pay". In Spain, people might use Pagas tú to say "you pay". In Mexico, Tú pagas la cuenta means "You pay the bill".
How does it change in a sentence?
In Spanish, the pronoun 'tú' is often omitted because the verb ending '-as' already indicates that the subject is 'you' (singular, informal).
How do you pronounce it?
/tu paɡas/
Did you know?
- The word tú is a cognate of the archaic English word 'thou'. Both words descend from the same Proto-Indo-European root and were used to address someone informally.
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, instead of saying tú pagas, friends might use the phrase yo invito, which literally means 'I invite', to signal they are treating the other person.
- In Spain, it is common for friends to use pagar a pachas, which means to split the bill equally regardless of what each person ordered.
Examples in context
- Tú pagas por calidad.You pay for quality.This sentence is useful for showing that tú pagas can be used when discussing paying for quality.Tatoeba #5939601 by albrusgher, translation #4501360 by CK
- Tú pagas por conveniencia.You pay for convenience.This sentence is useful for showing that tú pagas can be used when discussing paying for convenience.Tatoeba #5939594 by albrusgher, translation #4501353 by CK
- Usted paga con tarjetaYou pay with a card
- Usted paga en efectivoYou pay in cash
- Tú pagas tu parteYou pay for your part
- Tú pagas esta vez, y yo la próximaYou pay this time, and I'll pay next time
- Hoy tú pagas la cena.Today you pay for dinner.
Example conversation
Javier and Elena are at a restaurant after a nice meal.
- JavierLa comida estaba muy buena.The food was very good.
- ElenaSí, pero hoy tú pagas.Yes, but today you pay.
- Javier¿De verdad? Está bien.Really? Okay.
- ElenaGracias, Javier.Thanks, Javier.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries tú, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
