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prestar

pres-TAHRpɾesˈtaɾ

“prestar” means “to lend” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:

to lend

Also: to loan
VerbA1regular ar
A friendly person handing a colorful umbrella to a friend during a rain shower.
past Participleprestado
infinitiveprestar
gerundprestando

📝 In Action

¿Puedes prestarme tu bolígrafo?

A1

Can you lend me your pen?

Mi hermano me prestó su coche el fin de semana.

A2

My brother lent me his car over the weekend.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • dejar (to let/to lend (informal))

Antonyms

  • pedir prestado (to borrow)
  • devolver (to give back)

Common Collocations

  • prestar dinero – to lend money
  • prestar un libro – to lend a book

to pay (attention)

Also: to give (help/support)
VerbB1regular ar
A young student leaning forward with wide eyes, looking intently at a colorful butterfly on a leaf.
past Participleprestado
infinitiveprestar
gerundprestando

📝 In Action

Es importante prestar atención en clase.

B1

It is important to pay attention in class.

Ella siempre presta ayuda a sus vecinos.

B1

She always gives help to her neighbors.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Common Collocations

  • prestar atención – to pay attention
  • prestar auxilio – to give medical aid
  • prestar juramento – to take an oath

Subjunctive

Present Subjunctive

yopreste
túprestes
él/ella/ustedpreste
nosotrosprestemos
vosotrosprestéis
ellos/ellas/ustedespresten

Imperfect Subjunctive

yoprestara
túprestaras
él/ella/ustedprestara
nosotrosprestáramos
vosotrosprestarais
ellos/ellas/ustedesprestaran

Indicative

Preterite

yopresté
túprestaste
él/ella/ustedprestó
nosotrosprestamos
vosotrosprestasteis
ellos/ellas/ustedesprestaron

Imperfect

yoprestaba
túprestabas
él/ella/ustedprestaba
nosotrosprestábamos
vosotrosprestabais
ellos/ellas/ustedesprestaban

Present

yopresto
túprestas
él/ella/ustedpresta
nosotrosprestamos
vosotrosprestáis
ellos/ellas/ustedesprestan
View All Tenses & Moods →

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "prestar" in Spanish:

to lend→to loan→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: prestar

Question 1 of 2

If you want a friend to give you their book for the day, which do you say?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
préstamo(loan) — Noun
prestatario(borrower) — Noun
prestado(borrowed/lent) — Adjective
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼

From the Latin word 'praestare', which meant 'to stand before' or 'to provide'. It suggests the idea of making something available for someone else to use.

First recorded: 12th century

Cognates (Related words)

Italian: prestareFrench: prêter

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between 'prestar' and 'dejar'?

They are often used as synonyms for 'to lend' in casual conversation. However, 'prestar' is more precise, while 'dejar' usually means 'to leave' or 'to let'.

How do I say 'I borrowed a pen'?

You would say 'Pedí prestado un bolígrafo' or 'Tomé prestado un bolígrafo'.