Verb · A1 · Spanish glossary

Pagar: to pay, to pay for

pagar

Pronunciation: pah-GAHR (stress the capital letters)

Pagar means “to pay, to pay for” in English.

Quick answer

  • Meaning: to pay, to pay for
  • How to say it: pah-GAHR
  • Present: yo pago, tú pagas
  • Level: Beginner (A1)

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What “pagar” means and how to use it

Pagar means “to pay” or “to pay for.” In Spanish you do not need a preposition before the thing you pay for.

How to conjugate “pagar”

Present tense and key past forms
WhoSpanishEnglish
yopagoI
túpagasyou (informal)
él, ella, ustedpagahe, she, you (formal)
nosotrospagamoswe
ellos, ustedespaganthey, you all
Past (preterite)yo pagué, él pagóI / he or she
Past participlepagadoused with haber

Examples with audio

  • Pago la cuenta con tarjeta.I pay the bill by card.
  • ¿Puedo pagar en efectivo?Can I pay in cash?
  • Mi jefe paga cada quince días.My boss pays every two weeks.

Usage tip

Say “pagar la cena,” not “pagar por la cena.” The first person past takes a “u”: pagué (I paid).

Frequently asked questions

How do you say “to pay, to pay for” in Spanish?

“to pay, to pay for” in Spanish is “pagar.” It is pronounced pah-GAHR, with the stress on the syllable in capital letters.

How do you pronounce “pagar”?

Say pah-GAHR. The syllable in capital letters gets the stress. Press the speaker button at the top of this page to hear it.

What is the past tense of “pagar”?

In the preterite, “yo” is “pagué” and “él” is “pagó.” The past participle is “pagado.”

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