Tomar prestado or prestar

Question

Can we use either prestar or tomar prestado ... both meaning to borrow?

Puedo tomar prestado su libro or just Puedo prestar su libro?? both are right or there is a specific rule?? Please clarify and give me example.

Answer 1

Prestar = to lend

Tomar prestado = to borrow (literally: to take lent)

P.S. Correction: apparently, "prestar" is used in some countries to mean "to borrow". I have never heard that before. The usage I wrote here is for Spain, then. Also, the "Diccionario usual del español en México" agrees with the usage in Spain.

Thank you. :) - 0066c384, Apr 12, 2011

Thank you lazarus! - Miro74, Apr 12, 2011

This is new to me. I found it in the dictionary and was not sure. Thank you for your help. :) - 0066c384, Apr 12, 2011

Answer 2

Here is an example from the dictionary.

to borrow a book from the library - tomar prestado un libro de la biblioteca

Puedo tomar prestado un libro.

I can borrow a book.

Quiero tomar prestado un libro de la biblioteca.

I want to borrow a book from the library.

¿Puedo tomar prestado su libro?

Can I borrow your book?

I'm not sure if the question is formed correctly.

Edited after correction ----

"Prestar" means "to lend". "tomar prestado" means "borrow".

Prestar: borrow. (Can I borrow your book?) - Miro74, Apr 12, 2011

tomar+prestar= Borrow? - Miro74, Apr 12, 2011

I think that's right. - 0066c384, Apr 12, 2011

Thank you dogwood. I appreciate your help! - Miro74, Apr 12, 2011

I see now. Thank you. :) - 0066c384, Apr 12, 2011

I think I corrected the answer. :) - 0066c384, Apr 12, 2011

Answer 3

SpanishDict Dictionary

prestar transitive verb 1. to lend, to loan (dejar) (dinero, cosa) ¿me prestas mil pesos? -> ¿could you lend me a thousand pesos? (Entiendo!)

¿me prestas tu pluma? -> can I borrow your pen? (No entiendo!)

shouldn't be (Puedo tomar prestado tu pluma?)

¿me prestas tu pluma? = Can you lend me your pen? - lazarus1907, Apr 12, 2011

Sorry for insisting.. too confusing! Thank you anyway! - Miro74, Apr 12, 2011

Answer 4

Can I borrow your book? Puedo tomar prestado su libro ...or

Puedo prestar su libro?

I translated it (can I take borrow your book? )