French word

dépenser

Pronunciation

IPA/depɑ̃se/

Meaning

  • verbspend

Example

Je dépense souvent de l'argent au marché.

I often spend money at the market.

Illustration for dépenser (spend)

More examples

Nous dépensons rarement pour des vêtements.

We rarely spend money on clothes.

Core concept

A person directs part of available money toward something and no longer keeps it.

Common phrases

  • dépenser de l'argent

    spend money

  • dépenser sans compter

    spend without limit

  • dépenser son salaire

    spend one's salary

Similar words

payer: Give money in payment for a charge or purchase.
acheter: Get goods or services by paying for them.
économiser: Cut expenses in order to build savings.
investir: Commit money to a business or asset for expected future returns.

Definition in French

Consacrer une somme d'argent à un achat, un service ou à un besoin particulier.

Word origin

French dépenser developed from Old French despenser, which derives from Latin dispendere, formed from dis- and pendere, to weigh.

Usage tips

  • For spending on a purpose, French normally uses pour: dépenser de l'argent pour un service, not the English preposition on.

Other meanings

  • expendverb

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word