Meaning and Usage
The verb '지불하다' means 'to pay' and is commonly used in formal or written contexts when referring to the act of paying money for goods, services, rent, bills, or debts. It is a transitive verb and often appears with objects like '돈' (money), '요금' (fee), or '세금' (tax).
Common Collocations
- 지불하다 + 돈/요금/세금: to pay money/fees/taxes
- 지불 기한: payment deadline
- 지불 방법: payment method
- 지불 완료: payment completed
These collocations are useful in everyday financial transactions and formal documents.
Register and Politeness
'지불하다' is neutral to formal and is appropriate in business, legal, and official contexts. In casual speech, Koreans often use '내다' (to pay) instead.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes confuse '지불하다' with '내다'. While both mean 'to pay', '지불하다' is more formal and specific to monetary payment, whereas '내다' can be used more broadly (e.g., to submit or to pay). Use '지불하다' when emphasizing the act of payment, especially in formal settings.