vs 

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"Al contado" is a phrase which is often translated as "cash", and "a plazos" is a phrase which is often translated as "in installments". Learn more about the difference between "al contado" and "a plazos" below.
al contado(
ahl
 
kohn
-
tah
-
doh
)
A phrase is a group of words commonly used together (e.g., once upon a time).
phrase
a. cash
No aceptamos cheques ni tarjetas de crédito. Tendrá que pagarlo al contado.We don't take checks or credit cards. You'll have to pay cash for it.
b. in cash
Sacó un fajo de billetes del bolso y pagó el coche al contado.She took a wad of bills from her bag and paid for the car in cash.
a. cash
Los pagos al contado tienen un descuento del 5%.Cash payments get a 5% discount.
Yo siempre prefiero pagar al contado y olvidarme.I always prefer to pay cash and then forget about it.
b. cash down
¿Compraron el televisor a plazos o al contado?Did you buy your TV in installments or cash down?
Copyright © 2025 Dictionary Media Group, Inc.
a plazos(
ah
 
plah
-
sohs
)
A phrase is a group of words commonly used together (e.g., once upon a time).
phrase
a. in installments (to pay)
Regionalism used in the United States
(United States)
Si no te queda suficiente dinero, siempre puedes pagar los muebles a plazos.If you don't have enough money left, you can always pay for the furniture in installments.
b. in instalments (to pay)
Regionalism used in the United Kingdom
(United Kingdom)
Se puede elegir entre pagar a plazos mensuales o trimestrales.You can choose between paying in monthly or quarterly instalments.
c. on hire purchase (to buy)
Regionalism used in the United Kingdom
(United Kingdom)
No me gusta comprar las cosas a plazos, prefiero pagarlas al contado.I don't like buying things on hire purchase. I'd rather pay cash for them.
Copyright © 2025 Dictionary Media Group, Inc.