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"Costear" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "to pay for", and "pagar" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "to pay". Learn more about the difference between "costear" and "pagar" below.
costear(
kohs
-
teh
-
ahr
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
1. (to fund)
a. to pay for
Mis padres se sacrificaron mucho para costear mis estudios.My parents made a lot of sacrifices to pay for my studies.
b. to finance
Para costear este proyecto tuve que vender mi local.I had to sell my store to finance this project.
2. (nautical)
a. to sail along the coast of
El velero costeó el golfo de México hasta Campeche.The yacht sailed along the coast of the Gulf of Mexico as far as Campeche.
costearse
A pronominal verb always uses a reflexive pronoun. (e.g., Te ves cansado.).
3. (to fund)
a. to pay for
Para costearte tu propia carrera y máster hay que tener muchos ahorros.You need a lot of savings to pay for your own bachelor's and master's degrees.
b. to finance
Sara se costeó el viaje con lo que ganó trabajando los fines de semana.Sara financed the trip with the money she earned working on weekends.
pagar(
pah
-
gahr
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
b. to pay off (a debt)
Yo acabo de pagar mis deudas de la universidad.I just paid off my college loans.
2. (to buy)
An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
