A brief request and a clear return time make borrowing easier.

The idea

Ask ¿me prestas...? or ¿puedo pedirte prestado...?; use ¿podría...? for a more polite request. Say hasta mañana or antes de salir to agree on the return.

Examples

  • ¿Puedo pedirte prestado tu bolígrafo un momento?Can I borrow your pen for a moment?
  • Claro, te lo presto hasta mañana.Of course, I’ll lend it to you until tomorrow.
  • ¿Me prestas tu paraguas para ir a la estación?Will you lend me your umbrella to go to the station?
  • Sí, pero devuélvemelo esta tarde, por favor.Yes, but please return it to me this afternoon.
  • ¿Podría usar su cargador durante unos minutos?Could I use your charger for a few minutes?
  • Gracias, se lo devolveré antes de salir.Thank you, I’ll return it to you before I leave.

Read-aloud uses a synthetic Spanish voice available on your device. Voice quality and availability vary; it does not assess your pronunciation.

Watch out

Do not confuse prestar (lend) with pedir prestado (borrow): the owner lends and the borrower asks.

Try it yourself

  1. Will you ___ me your bicycle until Friday? (lend / ask)

    Show answer or example answer

    prestas

    Prestas asks the owner to lend the bicycle.

  2. I’ll return the book to you ___ dinner. (before / borrowed)

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    antes

    Antes places the return before dinner.

  3. Can I borrow a jacket from you? Choose the form agreeing with jacket. (borrowed feminine / borrowed masculine)

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    prestada

    Prestada agrees with the feminine noun chaqueta.

Use it today

Ask to borrow an object and agree when to give it back.