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prestar

to lend

verb preh-STAHR Less Common
Communication Expressions

Origin: From Latin praestare, 'to provide'.

Also means

to pay (attention)

Usage Note

Prestar is the everyday verb for lending (¿me prestas tu libro? = 'can you lend me your book?'). The key phrase prestar atención means 'to pay attention' — a common false-friend trap for English speakers who reach for pagar. Prestar un servicio means 'to render a service'. The reflexive prestarse a means 'to lend itself to / to be suitable for'.

Examples

"¿Me puedes prestar dinero?"

Natural Translation

Can you lend me some money?

Literal Translation

Can-you to-me lend money?

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