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"Pay" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "pagar", and "pay for" is a transitive verb phrase which is also often translated as "pagar". Learn more about the difference between "pay" and "pay for" below.
pay(
pey
)
A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
transitive verb
a. pagar
He finally paid me the money that he owed me.Por fin me pagó el dinero que me debía.
b. abonar
The amount specified must be paid within one month after enrollment.La cantidad indicada deberá ser abonada en el plazo de un mes después de la inscripción.
c. saldar
With this last payment, I have paid all my debts.Con este último pago, he saldado todas mis deudas.
a. prestar (attention)
If you don't pay attention in class, you won't do well on the exam.Si no prestas atención en clase, el examen no te irá bien.
b. presentar (respects)
Before the event, we will pay our respects to the hosts.Antes del evento, presentaremos nuestros respetos a los anfitriones.
a. hacer
He paid me what I took to be a very insincere compliment.Me hizo un cumplido que me pareció muy poco sincero.
An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
intransitive verb
a. pagar
Sure, I'll take a trip to Europe with you. Will you pay?Sí, claro que me voy contigo a Europa. ¿Pagas tú?
b. costar
How much did you pay for that dress?¿Cuánto te costó ese vestido?
a. pagar
He paid for his crimes with prison.Pagó sus delitos con la cárcel.
a. salir a cuenta
It always pays to tell the truth.Siempre sale a cuenta decir la verdad.
b. ser rentable
Freelancing doesn't pay very well.El trabajo autónomo no es muy rentable.
A noun is a word referring to a person, animal, place, thing, feeling, or idea (e.g., man, dog, house).
noun
a. la paga
(f) means that a noun is feminine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
(F)
They didn't offer him good pay so he respectfully declined.La paga que le ofrecieron no era buena, así que respetuosamente rechazó la oferta.
b. el sueldo
(m) means that a noun is masculine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
(M)
I hate my job but the pay is great.Odio mi trabajo pero el sueldo es genial.
c. el salario
(m) means that a noun is masculine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
(M)
What is a teacher's average pay?¿Cuál es el salario medio de un profesor?
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pay for(
pey
 
for
)
A transitive verb phrase is a phrase that combines a verb with a preposition or other particle and requires a direct object (e.g., take out the trash.).
transitive verb phrase
a. pagar
Do you like the car? Yes, I do, but I don't know how I will pay for it.¿Te gusta el carro? - Sí, me gusta, pero no sé cómo lo podré pagar.
a. pagar
Norris paid a high price for his arrogance when he lost the election.Norris pagó caro su arrogancia cuando perdió las elecciones.
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