bezahlen
to pay
To give money for goods, a service, or a debt.
EXAMPLE
Ich möchte bitte die Rechnung bezahlen.
I would like to pay the bill, please.
bezahlen
to pay
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Meanings
bezahlen für
to pay for
To have to bear the negative consequences of a mistake or a bad action.
EXAMPLE
Für seine Arroganz musste er am Ende teuer bezahlen.
In the end, he had to pay dearly for his arrogance.
Usage tips
Inseparable verb
'Bezahlen' (to pay) is an inseparable verb. The prefix 'be-' always remains attached to the verb. It also causes the verb to almost always require an accusative object, meaning the thing that is being paid.
EXAMPLE
Er bezahlte den Kaffee und ging.
He paid for the coffee and left.
Sentence structure and use
You can say 'etwas (Akkusativ) bezahlen' (to pay something) or 'für etwas (Akkusativ) bezahlen' (to pay for something). The version with 'für' is often used when emphasizing the reason for the payment.
EXAMPLE
Wir müssen noch das Abendessen bezahlen.
We still have to pay for dinner.
Typical collocations
Common and useful phrases are 'bar bezahlen' (to pay in cash), 'mit Karte bezahlen' (to pay by card), and also 'einen hohen Preis bezahlen' (to pay a high price), which can be meant both literally and figuratively.
EXAMPLE
Kann ich hier auch mit Kreditkarte bezahlen?
Can I also pay by credit card here?
Metaphorical meaning
In this figurative meaning, 'bezahlen' (to pay) is always used with the preposition 'für'. It is not about money, but about the negative consequences of an action.
EXAMPLE
Für diesen Fehler wird er noch teuer bezahlen müssen.
He will still have to pay dearly for this mistake.
Compare with
einladenzahlenfinanzierenausgebenauslegenauszahlenhinlegenbegleichenentrichteneinzahlenausbezahlenvergütenblechenlöhnenberichtigen
bezahlen vs einladen
to invite / load
When eating together, both words can fit, but they emphasize different things. Bezahlen directly refers to giving money for the bill, while einladen highlights the social gesture toward the other person. Use bezahlen for paying the bill and einladen when you are covering someone else’s costs.
bezahlen
Nach dem Essen bezahle ich die Rechnung an der Kasse.
After the meal, I pay the bill at the checkout.
einladen
Nach dem Essen lade ich meine Schwester auf ein Eis ein.
After the meal, I treat my sister to an ice cream.
In real life
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