Quick answer
Emprestar normally starts with the lender; pedir emprestado makes the borrower’s direction explicit.
A reliable test is to identify the job of the word before translating from English.
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What each word does
emprestar
to lend
Use emprestar for giving something temporarily with the expectation of getting it back.
pedir emprestado
to borrow
Use pedir emprestado for asking to use someone else’s thing temporarily.
How to choose
- emprestar: Choose emprestar if the sentence points to giving something temporarily with the expectation of getting it back.
- pedir emprestado: Choose pedir emprestado if the sentence points to asking to use someone else’s thing temporarily.
Examples
Vou emprestar meu livro ao João.
I am going to lend my book to João.
Posso pedir seu lápis emprestado?
May I borrow your pencil?
Common trap
Some Brazilians also use emprestar for borrowing. When direction could be unclear, say emprestar a alguém or pedir emprestado de alguém.
Practice it in context
Pick one sentence from your real life and write it twice: once with emprestar, then once with pedir emprestado. If both versions feel possible, name the meaning shift.
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