German word

zurückzahlen

Pronunciation

IPA/tsuˈʁʏkˌtsaːlən/

Meaning

  • verbpay back

Example

Er zahlt mir das Geld zurück.

He pays the money back to me.

Illustration for zurückzahlen (pay back)

More examples

Die Firma zahlt die Entschädigung zurück.

The company pays back the compensation.

Core concept

Money leaves the debtor and returns to its source until the outstanding amount reaches zero.

Common phrases

  • in Raten zurückzahlen

    pay back in installments

  • mir das Geld zurückzahlen

    pay the money back to me

  • die Schulden vollständig zurückzahlen

    pay off the debt in full

Similar words

zurückgeben: Return something received to its original owner.
bezahlen: Give money in exchange for goods or services.
tilgen: Repay borrowed money to reduce or clear a debt.
abbezahlen: Pay off a debt through a series of installments.

Definition in German

Geld, das man sich geliehen hat, an den Kreditgeber zahlen, sodass die Schuld reduziert oder gelöscht wird.

Word origin

The verb is formed from the directional adverb 'zurück' and 'zahlen', with the combined meaning of sending payment back.

Usage tips

  • The recipient of repayment is usually in the dative, while the money or debt is in the accusative, as in 'jemandem das Geld zurückzahlen.'

Other meanings

  • refundverb
  • settleverb

Opposites

Related words

  • Rückzahlungrepaymentnoun
  • Rückzahlungsbetragrepayment amountnoun

Word lists with this word