Spanish vocabulary · Beginner
Borrow in Spanish: Pedir Prestado
Pedir prestado · verb · peh-DEER preh-STAH-doh
The verb 'to borrow' translates to 'pedir prestado' in Spanish, literally meaning 'to ask for (something) lent.' Unlike English, which has separate words for borrowing and lending, Spanish uses 'prestar' for both directions, relying on context and the addition of 'pedir' to clarify who receives the item.
peh-DEER preh-STAH-doh
¿Puedo pedirte prestado un bolígrafo para firmar el documento?
Can I borrow a pen from you to sign the document?
Borrow in Spanish: Quick Reference
Below are the most common Spanish words for borrow, with pronunciation and regional usage notes.
| Spanish | English | Pronunciation | Region / Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| pedir prestado | borrow | peh-DEER preh-STAH-doh | Default, widely understood |
| tomar prestado | borrow | Latin America | |
| prestar (reverse usage) | borrow | colloquial in some regions |
How Native Speakers Use Pedir prestado
Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.
Library
Tomé prestados tres libros de la biblioteca municipal.
I borrowed three books from the municipal library.
Shows the past tense with 'tomar prestado' and plural agreement.
Money
Mi vecino me pidió prestados cincuenta dólares hasta el viernes.
My neighbor borrowed fifty dollars from me until Friday.
Illustrates borrowing money with a time expectation.
Tool
¿Me prestas tu escalera? La necesito para pintar el techo.
Can I borrow your ladder? I need it to paint the ceiling.
Shows the colloquial shortcut where 'prestar' alone implies borrowing from context.
Avoid These Mistakes When Using Pedir prestado
Prestar Confusion
Incorrect: Te presto mi libro. (intending 'I borrow your book')
Correct: Te pido prestado tu libro.
'Te presto' means 'I lend to you,' which is the opposite direction; adding 'pedir' reverses the flow to indicate you are the one receiving.
Agreement Error
Incorrect: Pedí prestado las herramientas.
Correct: Pedí prestadas las herramientas.
'Prestado' must agree in gender and number with the object borrowed; since 'herramientas' is feminine plural, it becomes 'prestadas.'
Lock in Borrow Vocabulary with the Parrot Method
Why word lists alone don't stick
Memorizing a translation feels productive, but most learners forget 70% of what they studied within 48 hours. Vocabulary needs spaced repetition AND real-world exposure to transfer to long-term memory.
See Pedir prestado used by native speakers
Parrot's short-form videos feature native speakers using pedir prestado in real situations. Context-based exposure beats flashcards, you hear ¿Puedo pedirte prestado un bolígrafo para firmar el documento? while watching someone live the moment, connecting meaning, sound, and rhythm at once.
Save, review, repeat, stay consistent
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Common Questions About Borrow in Spanish
- Why doesn't Spanish have a single word for 'borrow'?
- Spanish historically used 'prestar' to cover both lending and borrowing, with context making the direction clear. The phrase 'pedir prestado' evolved as an explicit way to mark the borrower's perspective, but many native speakers still use 'prestar' alone when the situation is obvious.
- Does 'prestado' change form?
- The adjective 'prestado' agrees with the noun being borrowed in both gender and number. A feminine singular item uses 'prestada,' a masculine plural uses 'prestados,' and a feminine plural uses 'prestadas.' This agreement is a common source of errors for learners.
- How is borrowing money expressed differently from borrowing objects?
- The structure remains the same—'pedir prestado dinero'—but financial borrowing also uses 'solicitar un préstamo' for formal loan contexts. Banks and institutions prefer 'préstamo' (loan) as the noun form rather than the verbal phrase.