borrow and lend?

Question

Hola,

I looked for the two verbs lend and borrow in the dictionary, and what I got is that the two verbs are translated to prestar in Spanish. Of course the two actions, to lend and to borrow are different, and I am almost sure that there is a mistake here.

On the other hand, and after some effort I got that to lend is prestar and to borrow is pedir. I hope that one of the admins sees my question and gives me an answer.

Muchas gracias

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My friends,

All I mean to ask is that a mistake in the dictionary?. I think that all languages use different words for these different actions.

Thanks again

This is an observant question but the answers are noted below. - Jeremias, Dec 2, 2011

Answer 1

To be honest, this is hardly obvious. English is one of the few languages in which these actions are different, lots of language use the same verb to describe both.

The difference between "to lend" and "to borrow" is not linguistic. The difference between these transactions is inherent in the activity, not language. However the same verb can be used to describe each transaction.

Quiero prestarte el libro: I want to loan you the book.

¿Puedes prestarme el libro?: Can you loan me the book? (Which is to say, can you loan me the book?)

The verb is used reciprocally to reverse the transaction, so the same verb can be used to describe the transaction from either point of view.

True but one cannot say "can you borrow me a book?" - ian-hill, Dec 2, 2011

or " I want to borrow you the book" - ian-hill, Dec 2, 2011

My point was that "Can you loan me the book?" is equal to "Can I borrow the book", expressed reciprocally. Pedir/dar prestado. Did you read my post? - Jeremias, Dec 2, 2011

Yes I did but it adds confusion for someone learning English. - ian-hill, Dec 2, 2011

And anyway we would not say "Can you loan me the book?" we would say "Can you L E N D me the book?" - ian-hill, Dec 2, 2011

Because after a Modal (can) the next verb is always the infinitive without the "to" - ian-hill, Dec 2, 2011

Answer 2

Desde mi experiencia en inglés lend es prestar y borrow pedir prestado.

Answer 3

Of course the two actions, to lend and to borrow are different

To be honest, this is hardly obvious. English is one of the few languages in which these actions are different, lots of language use the same verb to describe both.

True. The use of the verb is different though: prestar (lend) vs. pedir / tomar prestado (borrow). - Gekkosan, Dec 2, 2011

To English speakers it is obvious. - ian-hill, Dec 2, 2011

Answer 4

Think as follows:

Borrow - take

Lend - give

Answer 5

Prestar dinero is to lend. Pedir prestado is to ask for a loan.