Lending and Borrowing in Spanish

Spanish uses the verb prestar and the expression pedir prestado to cover both “lend” and “borrow”.
In English, we separate lend (giving something temporarily) and borrow (taking something temporarily).
Spanish simplifies this by using prestar for lending, and pedir prestado when you talk about borrowing.

Prestar and pedir prestado: basic picture
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Quick rule in one line:
If you give it, use prestar. If you take it, use pedir prestado.
Most everyday questions sound like ¿Me prestas…?, even when the English thought is “Can I borrow…?”.

Prestar = to lend
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When you are the one giving the item, you use prestar.

Example in Spanish:
Yo te presto mi libro.
Example in English:
(I lend you my book.)

Pedir prestado = to borrow
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Spanish does not have a single simple verb for “to borrow”.
Instead, it uses the phrase pedir prestado, which literally means “to ask for something lent”.

Example in Spanish:
Quiero pedir prestado un libro.
Example in English:
(I want to borrow a book.)

To sound natural, Spanish speakers often avoid saying “borrow” altogether.
Instead of saying “Can I borrow…?”, we simply ask “Will you lend me…?” using prestar.

English thought:
“Can I borrow your pen?”
Spanish way:
¿Me prestas tu pluma?
(Will you lend me your pen?)

20 examples with prestar and pedir prestado