Vocabulary
A2–B1
5 min read
Updated 9 June 2026
Quick Answer
Borrow = to take something temporarily (Can I borrow your pen? I borrowed a book from the library). Lend = to give something temporarily (Can you lend me your pen? She lent me £20). The direction is opposite: the borrower receives; the lender gives.
Borrow and lend describe the same transaction from opposite perspectives. If you need something temporarily from someone else, you borrow it. If you give something temporarily to someone else, you lend it. Remembering whose viewpoint each word represents is the key to using them correctly.
The Viewpoint Rule
| Word | Who uses it? | Direction | Pattern |
|---|
| borrow | the person receiving | take from → | borrow something (from someone) |
| lend | the person giving | give to → | lend someone something / lend something to someone |
Using “Borrow”
The person who takes something temporarily uses borrow. The preposition from identifies who the item came from.
Can I borrow your umbrella?
I borrowed a pen from my colleague.
She borrowed a dress from her friend for the party.
I always borrow books from the library.
Using “Lend”
The person who gives something temporarily uses lend. It follows two patterns: lend + person + thing, or lend + thing + to + person.
Can you lend me your umbrella?
He lent me his notes. (lend + person + thing)
She lent her car to a friend. (lend + thing + to + person)
The bank lends money to businesses.
Memory Trick
Borrow = Bring it to me (I receive it). Lend = Leave it with you (I give it away). The borrower takes; the lender gives.
Common Mistakes
Can you borrow me a pen?
Can you lend me a pen? (you are giving — use lend)
Can I lend your pen?
Can I borrow your pen? (you are receiving — use borrow)
She lent a book from the library.
She borrowed a book from the library. (taking from — use borrow)
Asking to Borrow Something
In requests, the speaker is usually asking to receive something, so borrow is the correct choice:
Could I borrow your phone charger?
Is it OK if I borrow your dictionary for a moment?
If you are asking someone to give you something, use lend:
Could you lend me your phone charger?
Would you mind lending me your dictionary?
Lend and Loan
Loan can be used as a verb in the same way as lend, especially in American English and in formal or financial contexts:
The museum loaned the paintings to another gallery.
She loaned him the money at a low interest rate.
In British English, lend is more common as a verb; loan is primarily a noun (a bank loan, a loan of £5,000).
Related Grammar Topics
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between borrow and lend?
Borrow means to take something temporarily from someone, with the intention of returning it: Can I borrow your pen? I borrowed a book from the library. Lend means to give something temporarily to someone, expecting to get it back: Can you lend me your pen? She lent me her notes. The key difference is direction: the borrower receives; the lender gives.
Can I say "Can you borrow me your pen"?
No. "Can you borrow me your pen" is incorrect. When you are asking someone to give you something, use lend: "Can you lend me your pen?" Borrow is used from the receiver's perspective: "Can I borrow your pen?" — here, you are the one taking. The confusion arises because both sentences describe the same exchange, but from opposite perspectives.
What prepositions go with borrow and lend?
Borrow uses from: I borrowed a book from the library. She borrowed money from her parents. Lend uses to (when the person comes after the object): She lent the car to her brother. Lend can also take a direct person object without a preposition: She lent her brother the car. Both patterns are correct.
What is the past tense of borrow and lend?
Borrow is a regular verb: borrow → borrowed → borrowed. Lend is an irregular verb: lend → lent → lent. Examples: I borrowed his umbrella yesterday (regular). He lent me his notes last week (irregular past). She has lent him money before (irregular past participle). Be careful with lend — many learners incorrectly say "lended."
What is the difference between lend and loan?
As verbs, lend and loan have the same meaning — to give something temporarily. Lend is more common in British English in everyday speech: Can you lend me £20? Loan as a verb is more common in American English and in formal or financial contexts: The museum loaned the exhibit to another institution. As a noun, loan is standard in both varieties: a bank loan, take out a loan.
Does "borrow" imply returning the item?
Yes. Both borrow and lend imply a temporary arrangement — the item is expected to be returned. If someone borrows your book, they are expected to give it back. If they keep it permanently, it is no longer borrowing — it becomes a gift or theft. This temporary-and-returnable aspect distinguishes borrow/lend from buy/give/take, which do not imply return.
How do I use borrow in a sentence about a library?
When you take books from a library, you borrow them: I borrowed three books from the library. You can borrow up to ten books at a time. Have you borrowed this book before? Libraries are designed for borrowing — the books go out and come back. You would never say "I lent a book from the library" because the library is the lender and you are the borrower.
Can "lend" be used in financial contexts?
Yes. Lend is commonly used in financial contexts to mean providing money temporarily (as a loan with interest): The bank lends money to homeowners. The government lent the company emergency funding. In this context, the borrower (the person receiving the money) is expected to pay it back, usually with interest. The financial institution is the lender; the customer is the borrower.
Is "lend me a hand" using lend correctly?
Yes, "lend me a hand" is an idiomatic expression meaning "help me." In this fixed phrase, lend is used metaphorically — you are not literally giving your hand temporarily, but offering your help or assistance. This is an exception to the literal meaning. Other similar idioms: "lend an ear" (listen carefully), "lend your support" (give support). These are all fixed expressions that use lend idiomatically.
What are some common mistakes with borrow and lend?
The most common mistakes are: (1) Using borrow when you mean lend: "Can you borrow me £5?" — should be "Can you lend me £5?" (2) Using lend when you mean borrow: "Can I lend your phone?" — should be "Can I borrow your phone?" (3) Incorrect preposition: "I borrowed to my friend" — should be "I lent to my friend" or "My friend borrowed from me." (4) Wrong past tense of lend: "He lended me his notes" — should be "He lent me his notes."