Borrowing from a Friend Next Door
Borrow tools, a car and a bit of cash from a friend, then pay it all back without any awkwardness.
Between friends in France small debts are usually settled by phone: younger people send money with Lydia or Wero, others make a quick bank transfer, 'un virement', with the friend's RIB or phone number. Neighbours often lend tools like a drill, and it's polite to return a borrowed car with a full tank. Watch the verbs: 'prêter' is to lend, 'emprunter' is to borrow, and 'rendre' is to give back.
- 1
Tu pourrais me prêter ta perceuse ?
Could you lend me your drill?
- 2
Je peux t'emprunter ta voiture ce week-end ?
Can I borrow your car this weekend?
- 3
Je te la rends demain.
I'll give it back to you tomorrow.
Tip: It's a drill, so think about gender.
- 4
Prends ton temps, j'en ai pas besoin.
Take your time, I don't need it.
- 5
Tu peux m'avancer vingt euros ?
Could you spot me twenty euros?
- 6
Je te rembourse vendredi.
I'll pay you back on Friday.
- 7
Je te fais un Lydia.
I'll send it to you on Lydia.
Tip: Use the name of the popular payment app as a noun.
- 8
Je suis un peu juste en fin de mois.
I'm a bit short at the end of the month.
- 9
Pas de souci.
No problem.
- 10
Tu me dois encore cinquante euros.
You still owe me fifty euros.
- 11
Je préfère ne pas la prêter.
I'd rather not lend it.
- 12
Fais-y attention, elle est neuve.
Be careful with it, it's new.
- 13
Je te revaudrai ça.
I owe you one.
- 14
Tu peux me donner un coup de main ?
Can you give me a hand?
- 15
Je te la ramène avec le plein.
I'll bring it back with a full tank.
- 16
Prêter de l'argent aux amis, c'est délicat.
Lending money to friends is tricky.
- 17
J'ai oublié de te rendre ton livre.
I forgot to give your book back.
- 18
Garde-le, il est à toi.
Keep it, it's yours.
- 19
T'as bien reçu mon virement ?
Did you get my transfer?
- 20
On est quittes.
We're even now.