betalen vs afbetalen
Dutch word comparison
Listen to betalen
Listen to afbetalen
| betalen | afbetalen |
|---|---|
be-TA-len verb | AHF-buh-TAY-lən verb |
| to pay (money for goods, services, a bill, etc.) | to pay off or to pay in instalments |
How they differ
Whereas betalen can mean a single payment, afbetalen implies repaying over time — paying off a debt or purchase in instalments until it is fully paid.
When to use each
When to use betalen: Use betalen when referring to a one-time or unspecified payment.
When to use afbetalen: Use afbetalen when you mean repaying a loan or purchase over a period (installments) or paying something off gradually.
Side-by-side examples
- Ik betaal de auto vandaag contant.
(I will pay for the car in cash today.) - Ik betaal de auto in drie jaar af.
(I'll pay off the car over three years.)
Register & nuance: Neutral; commonly used in everyday language about loans and installment plans.