pagar a plazos
Lemma Details
Translation: to pay in installments; to pay in payments; to pay on credit
Part of Speech: phrase
Etymology: This phrase combines 'pagar' (to pay) from Latin 'pacare' meaning 'to pacify' or 'to satisfy' with 'a plazos' (in installments). 'Plazo' comes from Latin 'placitum' meaning 'that which pleases' or 'agreement', which evolved to refer to an agreed-upon period of time for payment. The concept reflects the financial practice of dividing a large payment into smaller, more manageable amounts over time.
Commonality: 80%
Guessability: 50%
Register: neutral
Example Usage
Compramos el coche pagando a plazos durante tres años.
We bought the car paying in installments over three years.
La tienda ofrece la posibilidad de pagar a plazos sin intereses.
The store offers the possibility to pay in installments without interest.
Prefiero pagar a plazos porque no puedo permitirme pagar todo de una vez.
I prefer to pay in installments because I can't afford to pay everything at once.
Mnemonics
- Think of 'plazo' as 'place in time' - you're placing your payments at different points in time.
- Connect 'plazos' with 'places' - you're putting your money in different places (time periods).
Related Words, Phrases & Idioms
Synonyms
Antonyms
Cultural Context
This phrase is very common in Spanish-speaking countries where installment payments are a popular way to purchase expensive items like appliances, furniture, and electronics. Many stores prominently advertise 'pago a plazos' or 'venta a plazos' as a selling point, especially in countries where credit cards are less common than in the United States.
Easily Confused With
Explanation: 'Pagar a plazos' means to pay in multiple installments over time, while 'pagar a cuenta' means to make a partial payment or down payment toward the total amount.
Confused word:
Pagué 100 euros a cuenta y el resto lo pagaré la semana que viene.
I paid 100 euros as a down payment and I'll pay the rest next week.
Notes: 'Pagar a plazos' implies a formal agreement with set payment amounts and dates, while 'pagar a cuenta' is more flexible and doesn't necessarily imply a structured payment plan.
Mnemonic: 'Plazos' involves multiple payments over time periods; 'a cuenta' is just one payment toward the total.
Explanation: 'Pagar a plazos' means paying in installments after receiving the product or service, while 'pagar por adelantado' means to pay in advance, before receiving anything.
This word:
Compré un sofá y lo estoy pagando a plazos.
I bought a sofa and I'm paying for it in installments.
Confused word:
Tuve que pagar por adelantado la reserva del hotel.
I had to pay for the hotel reservation in advance.
Notes: These phrases represent opposite approaches to timing of payment relative to receiving goods or services.
Mnemonic: 'Plazos' spreads payments into the future; 'adelantado' pushes payment before the purchase.