Borrow vs. Lend

Borrow and lend describe the same action but from opposite directions. One is about receiving something; the other is about giving it.

Borrow

Borrow means to take something from someone with the intention of giving it back. The object comes to you.

• Can I borrow your pen?
• She borrowed my car for the afternoon.
• We often borrow books from the library.

Lend

Lend means to give something to someone temporarily. The object goes from you to another person.

• I can lend you some money until tomorrow.
• He lent his jacket to his friend.
• The bank lends money to customers.