The Word “Lend”: Meaning, Usage, and Translations Across 30 Languages
The word “lend” is a common verb in the English language that refers to the act of giving something to someone temporarily, with the expectation that it will be returned. It is often used in the context of money, objects, or services that are provided with the condition that they will be returned after a period of time. Lend is a fundamental concept in both personal relationships and financial transactions, and it is often contrasted with “borrow,” which refers to the act of receiving something temporarily with the intent to return it.
Meaning of “Lend” in Different Contexts
1. To Give Temporarily
The primary meaning of “lend” is to give something to someone for a limited period of time, with the expectation of receiving it back after a certain time or upon completion of a task.
- Example: “Can you lend me your book for a week?”
2. Financial Transactions
In the context of money or credit, “lend” refers to the act of providing funds to someone with the expectation of repayment. This is commonly used in banking, finance, and personal lending.
- Example: “The bank decided to lend him the money for the car loan.”
3. To Contribute or Add to a Situation
“Lend” can also be used metaphorically to mean “to contribute or add something to a situation,” such as lending support, a hand, or credibility to a cause or action.
- Example: “Her experience in marketing will lend credibility to the new project.”
4. To Offer Help or Assistance
In some cases, “lend” refers to offering help, assistance, or support to someone in need.
- Example: “I will lend a hand in organizing the event.”
Common Contexts in Which “Lend” is Used
1. In Financial Contexts (Lending Money or Credit)
One of the most common uses of “lend” is in the context of financial transactions. Banks, financial institutions, and individuals lend money or resources to others in exchange for repayment, often with interest.
- Example: “He was able to lend me the money for my new apartment, and I will pay him back in installments.”
2. In Personal Relationships (Lending Objects or Resources)
“Lending” is also commonly used in everyday conversations when one person temporarily gives something (such as a book, tool, or piece of equipment) to another person.
- Example: “I will lend you my umbrella while you’re out.”
3. In Social and Emotional Support (Lending Support)
The word “lend” is often used in a metaphorical sense when referring to emotional, social, or professional support. It implies offering assistance in times of need, whether it’s lending someone an ear or lending support to a cause.
- Example: “I will lend my support to your charity event.”
4. In Business and Projects (Lending Expertise or Credibility)
In the professional world, “lend” is frequently used to describe offering skills, knowledge, or expertise to help a project or initiative succeed.
- Example: “Her expertise in design will lend a unique perspective to the new branding project.”
Translations of the Word “Lend” in 30 Languages
Below is a table showing the translation of “lend” in 30 different languages, along with example sentences in each language.
| Language | Translation | Example Sentence (in the target language) | English Translation of Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| English | Lend | “Can you lend me your book for a week?” | (Can you lend me your book for a week?) |
| Spanish | Prestar | “¿Puedes prestarme tu libro por una semana?” | (Can you lend me your book for a week?) |
| French | Prêter | “Peux-tu me prêter ton livre pendant une semaine ?” | (Can you lend me your book for a week?) |
| German | Leihen | “Kannst du mir dein Buch für eine Woche leihen?” | (Can you lend me your book for a week?) |
| Italian | Prestare | “Mi puoi prestare il tuo libro per una settimana?” | (Can you lend me your book for a week?) |
| Portuguese | Emprestar | “Você pode me emprestar seu livro por uma semana?” | (Can you lend me your book for a week?) |
| Russian | Одолжить | “Ты можешь одолжить мне свою книгу на неделю?” | (Can you lend me your book for a week?) |
| Chinese (Simplified) | 借 (Jiè) | “你可以把你的书借给我一周吗？” | (Can you lend me your book for a week?) |
| Japanese | 貸す (Kasu) | “一週間、あなたの本を貸してくれませんか？” | (Can you lend me your book for a week?) |
| Korean | 빌려주다 (Billyeojuda) | “일주일 동안 책을 빌려줄 수 있나요?” | (Can you lend me your book for a week?) |
| Hindi | उधार देना (Udhar Dena) | “क्या आप मुझे एक हफ्ते के लिए अपनी किताब उधार दे सकते हैं?” | (Can you lend me your book for a week?) |
| Bengali | ধার দেওয়া (Dhar Dena) | “তুমি কি আমাকে এক সপ্তাহের জন্য তোমার বই ধার দিতে পারো?” | (Can you lend me your book for a week?) |
| Urdu | قرض دینا (Qarz Dena) | “کیا آپ مجھے ایک ہفتے کے لیے اپنی کتاب قرض دے سکتے ہیں؟” | (Can you lend me your book for a week?) |
| Turkish | Ödünç vermek | “Bir hafta boyunca kitabını bana ödünç verebilir misin?” | (Can you lend me your book for a week?) |
| Dutch | Lenen | “Kun je me je boek voor een week lenen?” | (Can you lend me your book for a week?) |
| Greek | Δανείζω (Daneizo) | “Μπορείς να μου δανείσεις το βιβλίο σου για μια εβδομάδα;” | (Can you lend me your book for a week?) |
| Swedish | Låna | “Kan du låna mig din bok i en vecka?” | (Can you lend me your book for a week?) |
| Danish | Låne | “Kan du låne mig din bog i en uge?” | (Can you lend me your book for a week?) |
| Finnish | Lainata | “Voitko lainata minulle kirjasi viikoksi?” | (Can you lend me your book for a week?) |
| Norwegian | Låne | “Kan du låne meg boka di i en uke?” | (Can you lend me your book for a week?) |
| Polish | Pożyczyć | “Czy możesz pożyczyć mi swoją książkę na tydzień?” | (Can you lend me your book for a week?) |
| Czech | Půjčit | “Můžeš mi půjčit svou knihu na týden?” | (Can you lend me your book for a week?) |
| Hungarian | Kölcsönadni | “Kölcsönadhatod a könyved egy hétre?” | (Can you lend me your book for a week?) |
| Hebrew | להשאיל (Leha’ashil) | “האם תוכל להשאיל לי את הספר שלך לשבוע?” | (Can you lend me your book for a week?) |
| Thai | ยืม (Yuem) | “คุณสามารถยืมหนังสือของฉันเป็นเวลาหนึ่งสัปดาห์ได้ไหม?” | (Can you lend me your book for a week?) |
| Vietnamese | Cho mượn | “Bạn có thể cho tôi mượn sách của bạn trong một tuần được không?” | (Can you lend me your book for a week?) |
| Indonesian | Meminjamkan | “Bisakah kamu meminjamkan bukumu kepadaku selama seminggu?” | (Can you lend me your book for a week?) |
| Filipino | Magpahiram | “Maaari mo ba akong pahiramin ng iyong libro ng isang linggo?” | (Can you lend me your book for a week?) |
| Malay | Pinjamkan | “Bolehkah anda meminjamkan buku anda kepada saya untuk seminggu?” | (Can you lend me your book for a week?) |
| Swahili | Kukopesha | “Je, unaweza kunikopesha kitabu chako kwa wiki moja?” | (Can you lend me your book for a week?) |
| Arabic | يُقرض (Yuqrid) | “هل يمكنك إقراضني كتابك لمدة أسبوع؟” | (Can you lend me your book for a week?) |
Final Thoughts
The word “lend” is a key concept in English, primarily referring to the act of giving something temporarily with the expectation of its return. It is commonly used in both personal and professional contexts, ranging from lending physical objects and money to lending support or expertise. The act of lending fosters relationships based on trust and reciprocity, whether it is through a casual favor or a formal loan.
From its everyday use in casual conversations to its importance in finance and business, the word “lend” plays a significant role in communication. Understanding how it is translated into various languages can help one better grasp its universal nature across different cultures and contexts.
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