vs 

QUICK ANSWER
"Pagar a plazos" is an intransitive verb phrase which is often translated as "to pay in installments", and "pagar al contado" is an intransitive verb phrase which is often translated as "to pay cash". Learn more about the difference between "pagar a plazos" and "pagar al contado" below.
pagar a plazos(
pah
-
gahr
 
ah
 
plah
-
sohs
)
An intransitive verb phrase is a phrase that combines a verb with a preposition or other particle and does not require a direct object (e.g., Everybody please stand up.).
intransitive verb phrase
a. to pay in installments
Si no tiene la capacidad financiera para saldar su deuda fiscal al contado, puede optar por pagarla a plazos.If you don't have the financial capability to pay your tax debt in a lump sum, you can choose to pay it in installments.
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pagar al contado(
pah
-
gahr
 
ahl
 
kohn
-
tah
-
doh
)
An intransitive verb phrase is a phrase that combines a verb with a preposition or other particle and does not require a direct object (e.g., Everybody please stand up.).
intransitive verb phrase
a. to pay cash
Si tengo los €154 en la cartera, pago el celular al contado.If I have the €154 in my wallet, I'll pay cash for the cellphone.
b. to pay in cash
Hoy tengo mucho cambio en la caja porque muchos clientes pagaron al contado.Today I have a lot of change in the till because many clients paid in cash.
a. to pay cash
Deben de tener mucho dinero, porque han pagado la casa al contado.They must have a lot of money, becase they've paid cash for the house.
b. to pay cash down
¿Qué ventajas tiene pagar al contado en lugar de hacerlo a plazos?What are the advantages of paying cash down instead of paying in installments?
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