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Préstamo means loan — a common term in Academic & Exam Prep. Learn how it's used in a real-world example.

📅 Published: March 22, 2026

🧠 Academic & Exam Prep

Préstamo

noun • /[PRES-ta-mo]/

loan

Example:

Pagará el préstamo después.

She will pay the loan later.

🧠 What does Préstamo mean?

Préstamo is a Spanish noun that translates to 'loan' in English. It refers to an act of lending or borrowing something, typically money, with the understanding that it will be repaid. In academic contexts, it can also refer to a word or phrase adopted from one language into another (a loanword). The concept of a préstamo involves a lender, a borrower, a sum of money or item lent, and an agreement for repayment, often with interest.

📚 Extra examples

  • El banco aprobó un préstamo hipotecario para la compra de la casa.
    The bank approved a mortgage loan for the purchase of the house.
  • Solicitó un préstamo personal para cubrir los gastos inesperados.
    He requested a personal loan to cover unexpected expenses.
  • Este término es un préstamo del inglés.
    This term is a loanword from English.
  • Los estudiantes a menudo necesitan un préstamo educativo para financiar sus estudios.
    Students often need an educational loan to finance their studies.
  • La devolución del préstamo se realizará en cuotas mensuales.
    The repayment of the loan will be made in monthly installments.

💡 Did You Know?

The word 'préstamo' comes from the Latin verb 'praestare', meaning 'to give as a pledge' or 'to lend'. This origin highlights the core concept of offering something with the expectation of return.

🔁 Synonyms & opposites of "Préstamo"

Synonyms: crédito, financiamiento, adeudo
Opposites: depósito, ahorro, devolución

🔍 See more academic & exam prep words

❓ FAQ

How do you say 'loan' in Spanish?
The Spanish word for 'loan' is 'préstamo'.
How do you pronounce 'Préstamo' in Spanish?
The pronunciation of 'Préstamo' is prehs-tah-moh. The stress is on the first syllable, 'prehs'.
How do you use 'Préstamo' in a sentence?
A common way to use 'préstamo' is in sentences referring to financial transactions, such as 'pedir un préstamo' (to ask for a loan) or 'pagar un préstamo' (to pay back a loan).
What is the English translation of 'Préstamo'?
The primary English translation of 'Préstamo' is 'loan'.
Does 'Préstamo' change for gender or number?
As a noun, 'préstamo' is masculine singular. Its plural form is 'préstamos', meaning 'loans'.
Is 'Préstamo' common in everyday Spanish?
Yes, 'préstamo' is a common word, especially in contexts related to finance, banking, and economics. It is also used in academic discussions about linguistics.
Does 'Préstamo' have slang or double meanings?
In its primary meaning, 'préstamo' refers to a loan. While it can be used in academic contexts for loanwords, it does not typically carry slang or double meanings in general conversation.
Is 'Préstamo' used differently in Spain vs Latin America?
The meaning and usage of 'préstamo' are generally consistent across Spain and Latin America, referring to loans or loanwords. Regional variations might exist in specific financial products or linguistic terminology, but the core meaning remains the same.

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