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"Abonar" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "to fertilize", and "pagar" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "to pay". Learn more about the difference between "abonar" and "pagar" below.
abonar(
ah
-
boh
-
nahr
)
A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
transitive verb
a. to fertilize
Regionalism used in the United States
(United States)
El jardinero abonó y regó el césped.The gardener fertilized and watered the lawn.
b. to fertilise
Regionalism used in the United Kingdom
(United Kingdom)
Aboné el jardín con productos químicos sintéticos.I fertilised the garden with synthetic chemicals.
a. to pay
Tienes que abonar una comisión de 100 dólares.You must pay a commission of 100 dollars.
b. to cash
El banco abonó el cheque el mismo día en que fue depositado.The bank cashed the check the same day it was deposited.
c. to credit
El pago será abonado en mi cuenta en 48 horas.The payment will be credited to my account in 48 hours.
a. to lend weight to
Las pruebas abonan la teoría del Big Bang.The evidence lends weight to the Big Bang theory.
b. to lend credence to
Su declaración es errada y no abona tu reclamo.Her statement is inaccurate and doesn't lend credence to your claim.
abonarse
A pronominal verb always uses a reflexive pronoun. (e.g., Te ves cansado.).
pronominal verb
a. to subscribe
No me aboné al cable porque nunca miro televisión.I didn't subscribe to cable because I never watch television.
b. to buy a season ticket for
Me aboné al ballet con un 20% de descuento.I bought a season ticket for the ballet with a 20% discount.
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pagar(
pah
-
gahr
)
A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
transitive verb
a. to pay
Él está pagando la cuenta.He is paying the bill.
b. to pay off (a debt)
Yo acabo de pagar mis deudas de la universidad.I just paid off my college loans.
c. to repay (a debt)
Toma cinco años pagar el préstamo del carro.It takes five years to repay the loan on the car.
a. to pay for
Mi primo me pagó el almuerzo.My cousin paid for my lunch.
a. to pay
Me las pagarás por lo que me hiciste.You're going to pay for what you did to me.
An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
intransitive verb
a. to pay
Ya pagué yo.I already paid.
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