bezahlen vs begleichen
German word comparison
Listen to bezahlen
Listen to begleichen
| bezahlen | begleichen |
|---|---|
be-ZAH-len verb (transitive) | /bəˈɡlaɪ̯çən/ verb (transitive) |
| to pay (a bill, price, or cost) | to settle (a debt, invoice, or outstanding amount) |
How they differ
Begleichen specifically implies settling or clearing an outstanding obligation (invoice, debt or overdue bill) and often carries the nuance of completing what is owed; bezahlen is more general and does not necessarily imply the payment resolves a previously outstanding claim.
When to use each
When to use bezahlen: Use bezahlen for ordinary purchases or when simply stating that you pay for something now.
When to use begleichen: Use begleichen when referring to settling invoices, debts, or overdue payments, especially in formal or financial contexts.
Side-by-side examples
- Ich bezahle die Rechnung heute.
(I will pay the bill today.) - Ich begleiche die offene Rechnung noch diese Woche.
(I'll settle/clear the outstanding invoice this week.)
Register & nuance: Begleichen is somewhat more formal and commonly found in written, financial or legal contexts (invoices, contracts).