to shell out / to pay
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to shell out
Colloquial for to pay, often with the connotation that you are spending the money reluctantly or on something unpleasant.
Für das Falschparken musste ich ordentlich löhnen.
I had to shell out quite a bit for parking illegally.
to remunerate
An outdated word for paying or rewarding someone for their work or a service.
Der Gutsherr löhnte die Tagelöhner am Ende der Woche für ihre harte Arbeit auf dem Feld.
The landowner remunerated the day laborers at the end of the week for their hard work in the field.
The verb 'löhnen' is closely related to the noun 'der Lohn' (wage, reward). It describes the action of paying a wage or—colloquially—having to pay for something.
Früher löhnte der Bauer seine Arbeiter mit Naturalien.
In the past, the farmer remunerated his workers with goods in kind.
In this meaning, 'löhnen' (to shell out) is used colloquially and has a negative connotation. It is often used when you reluctantly have to pay for a mistake, a fine, or something expensive.
Wer zu schnell fährt und geblitzt wird, muss dafür ordentlich löhnen.
Anyone who drives too fast and gets caught by a speed camera has to shell out quite a bit for it.
Typically, 'löhnen' is used with the preposition 'für' (for) and an accusative object that names the reason for the payment. It also often appears with the adverb 'ordentlich' (quite a bit/properly) to emphasize a large sum.
Für die Reparatur meines alten Autos musste ich fast 500 Euro löhnen.
I had to shell out almost 500 euros for the repair of my old car.
This meaning of 'löhnen' as a neutral word for 'entlohnen' (to remunerate/pay) is outdated. Today it is found almost only in historical or literary texts.
In dem alten Roman stand, dass der König seine treuen Soldaten gut löhnte.
In the old novel, it said that the king remunerated his loyal soldiers well.
to pay
Bezahlen and löhnen can both express spending money on something. Bezahlen is neutral and generally appropriate, whereas löhnen sounds colloquial and often suggests that the expense is unpleasant or that the payment is made reluctantly. In a matter-of-fact billing situation, bezahlen is therefore the better choice.
Für die Reparatur musste ich eine Menge Geld löhnen.
I had to shell out a lot of money for the repair.
Ich muss die hohe Hotelrechnung morgen bezahlen.
I have to pay the expensive hotel bill tomorrow.
