Inklingo

How to Say "paid" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “paid” is “pagado” — use 'pagado' when referring to something that has had payment made for it, like a bill or a service..

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pagado

pah-GAH-doh/paˈɣa.ðo/

AdjectiveA2General
Use 'pagado' when referring to something that has had payment made for it, like a bill or a service.
A white sheet of paper, symbolizing a bill, with a large, vibrant green checkmark stamped clearly on its surface, indicating payment completion. A small stack of gold coins sits beside the paper.

Examples

La cuenta del restaurante ya está pagada.

The restaurant bill is already paid.

Necesito saber si el envío ha sido pagado antes de mandarlo.

I need to know if the shipment has been paid for before sending it.

El trabajador se sentía pagado y valorado por su esfuerzo.

The worker felt compensated and valued for his effort.

Ya hemos pagado la entrada del cine.

We have already paid for the movie ticket.

Adjective Agreement

When used as an adjective, 'pagado' must change its ending (-o, -a, -os, -as) to match the gender and number of the noun it describes. For example, 'la factura pagada' (the paid invoice).

The Perfect Tense Builder

The form 'pagado' is used with the verb 'haber' (he, has, ha, hemos, etc.) to talk about actions completed in the past, like 'I have paid' (Yo he pagado). It never changes its ending when used this way.

Confusing Adjective vs. Action

Mistake: “La cuenta es pagada.”

Correction: Use 'estar' for the status: 'La cuenta está pagada' (The status is 'paid'). Using 'ser' makes it passive voice, meaning 'The bill is being paid by someone.'

Mixing Up Participles and Adjectives

Mistake: “Hemos pagada la comida.”

Correction: When forming a compound tense with 'haber', the participle 'pagado' never changes its ending to match the noun (la comida). It is always 'Hemos pagado'.

pagado

Past ParticipleA1General
Use 'pagado' as a past participle with 'haber' to indicate that an action of paying has been completed.

Examples

Ya hemos pagado la entrada del cine.

We have already paid for the movie ticket.

satisfecho

sah-tees-FEH-choh/sa.tisˈfe.t͡ʃo/

AdjectiveC1Formal
Use 'satisfecho' when a condition, requirement, or obligation has been met or fulfilled.
Two simplified characters shaking hands across a small table. One character is placing a small, important-looking rolled document onto the table, symbolizing an obligation being met.

Examples

El requisito de la visa fue satisfecho por el solicitante.

The visa requirement was fulfilled by the applicant.

Una vez que el pago esté satisfecho, se enviará la mercancía.

Once the payment is met (paid), the merchandise will be sent.

Formal Usage (Ser)

In this formal sense, 'satisfecho' describes a permanent state of completion (the requirement IS fulfilled), so it often uses the verb 'ser' in passive constructions.

Pagado vs. Satisfecho

Learners often confuse 'pagado' and 'satisfecho' because both can imply completion. Remember that 'pagado' specifically relates to financial transactions, while 'satisfecho' is used for fulfilling conditions or obligations, often in more formal contexts.

Related Translations

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