At the A1 level, 'desembolsar' might seem like a complex word, but it is very useful for basic financial interactions. Think of it as a fancy way to say 'to pay'. You can use it in simple sentences like 'Eu desembolso dinheiro' (I pay out money). At this stage, focus on the fact that it ends in -ar, meaning it follows the easiest conjugation pattern in Portuguese. You might use it when talking about buying things or paying for a service. Even though 'pagar' is more common for beginners, learning 'desembolsar' early helps you understand more formal signs or news snippets. Imagine you are at a market and you see a sign about 'desembolso'—now you know it relates to paying. It is a good word to have in your 'money' vocabulary kit along with 'comprar' (to buy) and 'vender' (to sell). Try to remember it by the word 'bolso' (pocket), which is also an A1 level word. If you take money out of your 'bolso', you are 'desembolsar'. This visual connection makes it much easier to memorize and use even if you are just starting your Portuguese journey. Don't worry about complex tenses yet; just focus on the present tense: 'Eu desembolso', 'Você desembolsa'.
At the A2 level, you are expanding your vocabulary to include more specific verbs. 'Desembolsar' is perfect for this stage because it allows you to describe financial actions more precisely than just using 'pagar'. You can now use it in the past tense to talk about things you bought: 'Ontem eu desembolsei vinte euros' (Yesterday I paid out twenty euros). This level is where you start to understand the nuance of 'shelling out' money. You might use it when complaining about prices or explaining a transaction. It's also useful for understanding basic news headlines about the economy. You should be able to recognize it in the infinitive form after verbs like 'ter que' (to have to). For example, 'Tive que desembolsar muito dinheiro para o conserto' (I had to pay out a lot of money for the repair). This shows you are moving beyond the most basic vocabulary and starting to use words that native speakers use in their daily lives. You can also start to use it in the future tense to talk about planned expenses. It is a transitive verb, so remember to always include what you are paying out. It's a great way to sound more like a native and less like a textbook, especially when discussing costs and expenses with friends or colleagues.
By the B1 level, you should be comfortable using 'desembolsar' in a variety of contexts, including work and travel. You can use it to talk about budgets, travel expenses, and business disbursements. You will likely encounter this word in more complex reading materials, such as newspaper articles or business emails. At this stage, you should understand the difference between 'desembolsar' and 'gastar' or 'pagar'. You might say, 'Embora o projeto seja caro, a empresa está disposta a desembolsar o capital necessário' (Although the project is expensive, the company is willing to disburse the necessary capital). You can also use it in the conditional tense to talk about hypothetical situations: 'Eu desembolsaria mais se o produto fosse melhor' (I would pay out more if the product were better). This level also involves understanding common phrases and slightly more idiomatic usage. You'll notice that 'desembolsar' often carries a tone of 'significant payment'. It's not just for a piece of gum; it's for something that impacts your budget. You can also start using the noun form 'desembolso' (disbursement/outlay) in your writing. This helps you create more varied and professional-sounding sentences. Your ability to choose 'desembolsar' over 'pagar' in a business meeting will demonstrate a higher level of linguistic competence and professional vocabulary.
At the B2 level, 'desembolsar' becomes a tool for nuanced expression in both formal and informal Portuguese. You should be able to use it fluently in discussions about the economy, government policy, and corporate finance. You will understand its use in passive voice constructions, which are common in formal reports: 'Os fundos foram desembolsados imediatamente' (The funds were disbursed immediately). You can also use it to express irony or emphasis in casual conversation. For example, 'Depois de tanto reclamar, ele finalmente desembolsou a grana' (After complaining so much, he finally shelled out the cash). At this level, you should also be aware of regional differences in usage and how the word fits into the broader semantic field of financial verbs like 'liquidar', 'quitar', and 'arcar'. You can use it in complex sentence structures with relative clauses: 'A quantia que tivemos que desembolsar foi muito superior ao que havíamos previsto' (The amount we had to pay out was much higher than what we had predicted). This shows a high level of control over both vocabulary and grammar. You are also likely to encounter 'desembolsar' in literature or more formal speeches, where its specific meaning of 'taking money out of the pocket' adds a descriptive layer to the narrative of a transaction.
At the C1 level, your use of 'desembolsar' should be near-native. You understand all its subtle connotations, including the sense of reluctance or the official nature of a disbursement. You can use it in highly formal writing, such as legal contracts or academic papers on economics, without any hesitation. You are also familiar with its use in various idiomatic expressions across different Lusophone cultures. For instance, you understand how it pairs with 'erário público' (public treasury) in political discourse. Your vocabulary is rich enough to use 'desembolsar' as a stylistic choice to avoid repetition or to strike a specific tone. You might use it in a complex argumentative essay: 'O Estado, ao desembolsar tais verbas, deve garantir a transparência total do processo' (The State, when disbursing such funds, must guarantee the total transparency of the process). You also have a deep understanding of the word's etymology and how it relates to other words in the 'bolso' family, which allows you to appreciate puns or sophisticated wordplay in media or literature. At this level, the word is not just a vocabulary item; it's a part of your flexible linguistic repertoire that you can deploy with precision in any situation, from a high-stakes negotiation to a deep conversation about personal values and money.
At the C2 level, 'desembolsar' is a word you use with absolute precision and stylistic flair. You can navigate the most complex financial and legal documents where this word appears, understanding the precise legal implications of a 'desembolso'. You are also capable of using it in creative writing to evoke specific imagery or to characterize a person's relationship with money. For example, you might describe a miserly character who 'desembolsa cada centavo como se estivesse arrancando a própria pele' (disburses every cent as if he were tearing off his own skin). You understand the historical evolution of the word and its place within the Romance languages, comparing it to the Spanish 'desembolsar' or the French 'débourser'. You can switch between formal and informal registers effortlessly, using 'desembolsar' in a technical report and then switching to a colloquial equivalent in the same conversation to build rapport or add emphasis. Your mastery is such that you can critique the use of the word in others' speech or writing, recognizing when it is used pretentiously or incorrectly. 'Desembolsar' is no longer a 'new' word but a fundamental building block of your sophisticated command of the Portuguese language, used with the same ease and nuance as a native speaker with a high level of education.

Desembolsar in 30 Seconds

  • Desembolsar means to pay out or disburse money, often implying a significant or formal transaction.
  • It comes from the word 'bolso' (pocket), literally meaning to take money out of your pocket.
  • Commonly used in business, news, and when complaining about high costs or unexpected fees.
  • It is a regular -ar verb, making it easy to conjugate for Portuguese learners of all levels.
The Portuguese verb desembolsar is a sophisticated and highly practical term primarily used within the realms of finance, commerce, and daily economic transactions. At its core, it translates to 'to pay out,' 'to disburse,' or more colloquially, 'to shell out.' The word is deeply rooted in the concept of moving money from one's personal possession to an external entity. While the basic verb 'pagar' (to pay) is ubiquitous and suitable for any situation, 'desembolsar' carries a slightly more formal or specific weight, often emphasizing the act of the money actually leaving the 'pocket' or the bank account. It is the literal and figurative act of taking funds out of a purse or wallet.
Literal Meaning
The term comes from the combination of the prefix 'des-' (indicating removal or reversal) and 'embolsar' (to put into a pocket/bolso). Thus, it literally means to un-pocket money.
Financial Register
In business contexts, it refers to the disbursement of capital for investments, salaries, or operational costs. It is the standard term used in accounting to describe cash outflows.
Everyday Nuance
When used by individuals, it often implies a sense of reluctance or the significance of the amount. For instance, if someone has to pay an unexpected fine, they might say they had to 'desembolsar' a large sum, highlighting the pain of the expense.
In the Lusophone world, whether you are in Lisbon, Luanda, or São Paulo, you will encounter this word in news reports regarding government spending, in legal contracts detailing payment obligations, and in casual conversations about the rising cost of living. It is a transitive verb, meaning it directly acts upon the object—the money being spent. You do not just 'desembolsar'; you 'desembolsar uma quantia' (disburse an amount).

Para comprar o carro novo, ele precisou desembolsar todas as suas economias de uma só vez.

Understanding this word allows a learner to move beyond basic Portuguese and enter the territory of more precise, adult-level communication. It is less about the simple exchange of goods for money and more about the financial impact of that exchange on the payer. Furthermore, the word appears frequently in passive constructions in formal reports, such as 'Os valores foram desembolsados pelo tesouro nacional' (The values were disbursed by the national treasury). This versatility makes it an essential addition to the vocabulary of anyone looking to discuss economy, personal finance, or business in Portuguese. It also shares a semantic space with 'gastar' (to spend), but 'gastar' is more general and can apply to time or energy, whereas 'desembolsar' is strictly financial.

A empresa teve que desembolsar uma fortuna em indenizações após o processo judicial.

In summary, use 'desembolsar' when you want to sound more professional or when you want to emphasize the actual outflow of cash. It is a word that signals financial literacy and a command of formal Portuguese registers.
Using desembolsar correctly requires an understanding of its grammatical structure and the contexts it favors. As a regular verb ending in -ar, it follows the standard conjugation patterns of the first conjugation in Portuguese. It is a direct transitive verb, which means it usually takes a direct object—the amount of money or the resource being paid out. You will often see it paired with numbers, currencies, or nouns representing value like 'fortuna' (fortune), 'quantia' (amount), or 'valor' (value).
Direct Object Pattern
Subject + Desembolsar + Amount. Example: 'Eu desembolsei dez euros.' (I paid out ten euros.)
Prepositional Use
To indicate what the money was for, use 'para' or 'por'. Example: 'Desembolsamos muito dinheiro para a reforma.' (We disbursed a lot of money for the renovation.)
Formal Contexts
In government or corporate documents: 'O banco irá desembolsar o empréstimo na próxima semana.' (The bank will disburse the loan next week.)
One of the most common ways to see this word is in the past tense (Pretérito Perfeito), as it usually describes a completed action of payment. However, in planning or budgeting, the future or the present continuous is also frequent. For example, 'Estamos desembolsando mensalmente uma taxa de manutenção' (We are paying out a maintenance fee monthly).

Ninguém gosta de desembolsar dinheiro com impostos imprevistos no final do ano.

Se você quiser aquele apartamento, terá que desembolsar um sinal considerável.

It is also important to note that 'desembolsar' can be used in the infinitive form following modal verbs like 'ter que' (to have to) or 'precisar' (to need to), which adds a layer of necessity to the financial transaction. 'Tivemos que desembolsar uma grana preta' is a very common Brazilian idiom meaning 'We had to shell out a lot of money.' 'Grana preta' is a slang term for a large amount of money, and 'desembolsar' pairs perfectly with it to convey the weight of the expense.

O investidor decidiu desembolsar o capital necessário para a startup expandir suas operações.

In European Portuguese, the usage remains largely the same, though perhaps slightly more leaning towards formal contexts compared to the more frequent colloquial use in Brazil. Regardless of the dialect, the core meaning of releasing funds remains constant.
You will encounter desembolsar in several distinct environments, each providing a different flavor to the word. Firstly, in the news and financial journalism, it is the verb of choice for describing government expenditures or corporate investments. When the Ministry of Education releases funds for schools, the headline will likely use 'desembolsar.' This gives the word an aura of officialdom and transparency.
Television News
'O governo federal anunciou que vai desembolsar bilhões para o novo programa de infraestrutura.'
Real Estate and Banking
When applying for a mortgage, the bank clerk might explain when the institution will 'desembolsar' the credit into the seller's account.
Daily Grievances
Among friends, you'll hear it when someone complains about the price of concert tickets or a surprise car repair. 'Tive que desembolsar quinhentos reais só na bateria!'
In a professional setting, such as a board meeting or a negotiation, 'desembolsar' is used to discuss budgets. It sounds more precise than 'pagar' because it focuses on the cash flow aspect. Managers discuss when they will have the liquidity to 'desembolsar' the bonuses or the project costs.

Ao ouvir o preço da manutenção, o cliente suspirou antes de desembolsar o cartão de crédito.

Another common place to find this word is in consumer rights discussions. If a company is ordered to refund a customer, the legal text will often state that the company must 'desembolsar' the amount to the consumer within a certain timeframe. This usage reinforces the idea of the money moving back from the 'pocket' of the company to the individual.

O prêmio da loteria será desembolsado em parcelas anuais ao longo de uma década.

In literature or high-level academic texts, 'desembolsar' might be used metaphorically, though it is rare. It almost always refers to tangible financial resources. If you are watching a Brazilian 'novela' (soap opera), a character might dramatically complain about having to 'desembolsar' a bribe or a ransom, adding to the tension of the scene. The word's versatility across formal and informal registers makes it a linguistic 'Swiss Army knife' for discussing anything related to the outflow of money.
While desembolsar is a regular verb, English speakers often stumble over its specific usage compared to 'pagar'. The most frequent error is using it in contexts where no actual money is leaving a 'pocket' or account. For example, you wouldn't 'desembolsar' a compliment or a debt in the sense of 'forgiving' it. It is strictly for the act of paying out.
Confusing with Pagar
Learners often use 'pagar' for everything. While technically correct, using 'desembolsar' when discussing large sums or formal disbursements makes you sound more native. However, don't use 'desembolsar' for small, habitual things like 'desembolsar o café' unless you are being intentionally ironic about the price.
Preposition Errors
Do not say 'desembolsar de cem euros'. The verb is direct: 'desembolsar cem euros'. The only time you use 'de' is if you are saying 'desembolsar do próprio bolso' (to pay out of one's own pocket).
Spelling and Pronunciation
English speakers might try to say 'disbolsar' due to the English word 'disburse'. Remember the 'e' in 'des-'. Also, ensure the 's' sounds like a 'z' (de-zem-bol-sar) because it's between two vowels (the 'e' and the nasal 'em').
Another mistake is forgetting that 'desembolsar' requires a financial object. You cannot 'desembolsar' for a person directly as a grammatical object in the same way you can in some English constructions. You 'desembolsar o dinheiro PARA a pessoa'.

Errado: Eu desembolsei o garçom. Correto: Eu desembolsei a gorjeta para o garçom.

Finally, avoid overusing it. If you use 'desembolsar' for every single transaction in a day, from a newspaper to a bus ticket, it sounds unnatural. Reserve it for significant amounts, formal contexts, or when you want to emphasize the act of the money leaving your possession. It is a word of emphasis. Use it when the payment is noteworthy.

Não é necessário desembolsar nada para entrar no museu; a entrada é gratuita hoje.

Understanding these nuances prevents the 'robotic' feel that often accompanies second-language learners who have found a new, fancy word and use it everywhere. Context is key.
To truly master desembolsar, you should know its synonyms and how they differ in nuance. The Portuguese language offers a rich palette of verbs for financial transactions, each with its own flavor.
Pagar vs. Desembolsar
'Pagar' is the generic term. 'Desembolsar' is specifically about the outflow of cash. Use 'pagar' for 'I paid the bill' (Paguei a conta) and 'desembolsar' for 'I had to shell out 200 euros for that bill' (Tive que desembolsar 200 euros por aquela conta).
Gastar vs. Desembolsar
'Gastar' means to spend. It can be used for money, time, or energy. 'Desembolsar' is only for money and emphasizes the moment of payment rather than the total consumption.
Dispender vs. Desembolsar
'Dispender' is very formal and often used in academic or highly technical financial reports. It is the closest synonym to 'to expend'. 'Desembolsar' is more common in both business and daily life.
Arcar vs. Desembolsar
'Arcar' (usually 'arcar com') means to bear the costs or consequences. 'Ele teve que arcar com o prejuízo' (He had to bear the loss). While 'desembolsar' is the action of paying, 'arcar' is the responsibility of paying.
There are also colloquial alternatives. In Brazil, you might hear 'coçar o bolso' (to scratch the pocket), which is a humorous way of saying you have to find money to pay for something. Another one is 'soltar a grana' (to let go of the cash). However, 'desembolsar' sits perfectly in the middle—not too slangy, but not too stiff.

Ao invés de desembolsar o valor total à vista, ele preferiu parcelar a compra.

In summary, 'desembolsar' is your go-to word for describing the physical or electronic movement of money out of your control, especially when that movement is significant, formal, or slightly painful. Its synonyms allow you to adjust your tone from the casual streets of Rio to the banking halls of Lisbon.

Examples by Level

1

Eu preciso desembolsar dez euros hoje.

I need to pay out ten euros today.

Simple present tense with the modal 'preciso' (I need).

2

Você desembolsa o dinheiro agora?

Do you pay out the money now?

Interrogative sentence in the present tense.

3

Nós desembolsamos pouco dinheiro no mercado.

We pay out little money at the market.

Present tense, 'nós' form.

4

Ela não quer desembolsar muito.

She doesn't want to pay out much.

Negative sentence with the verb 'querer' (to want).

5

Eles desembolsam o valor da entrada.

They pay out the entrance fee.

Present tense, 'eles' form.

6

Quanto você vai desembolsar?

How much are you going to pay out?

Future with 'ir' + infinitive.

7

Eu desembolso cinco reais pelo café.

I pay out five reais for the coffee.

Present tense with the preposition 'pelo' (for the).

8

O pai desembolsa a mesada do filho.

The father pays out the son's allowance.

Third person singular present tense.

1

Ontem, eu desembolsei vinte euros no jantar.

Yesterday, I paid out twenty euros for dinner.

Pretérito Perfeito (past tense), first person singular.

2

Tivemos que desembolsar uma taxa extra no aeroporto.

We had to pay out an extra fee at the airport.

Compound past with 'ter que' + infinitive.

3

Ela desembolsou o valor total da viagem à vista.

She paid out the total value of the trip in cash/upfront.

Pretérito Perfeito, third person singular.

4

Vocês já desembolsaram o dinheiro para o presente?

Have you already paid out the money for the gift?

Pretérito Perfeito in a question with the adverb 'já'.

5

O governo vai desembolsar verbas para a saúde.

The government is going to disburse funds for health.

Future tense construction with 'vai'.

6

Não desembolsei nada, pois ganhei o convite.

I didn't pay out anything because I won the invitation.

Negative past tense followed by a causal clause.

7

Eles desembolsaram uma pequena fortuna naquela casa.

They paid out a small fortune for that house.

Use of the noun 'fortuna' as a direct object.

8

Você precisará desembolsar o sinal para reservar o quarto.

You will need to pay out the deposit to reserve the room.

Future tense of 'precisar'.

1

Se eu comprar o carro, terei que desembolsar minhas economias.

If I buy the car, I will have to pay out my savings.

First conditional sentence (Future Subjunctive + Future Indicative).

2

A empresa desembolsou o bônus de Natal para todos os funcionários.

The company disbursed the Christmas bonus to all employees.

Formal business context usage.

3

Estamos desembolsando mensalmente um valor alto pelo aluguel.

We are paying out a high amount monthly for rent.

Present continuous (Gerúndio) to show habitual action.

4

Duvido que ele desembolse essa quantia sem reclamar.

I doubt that he will pay out that amount without complaining.

Present Subjunctive after a verb of doubt ('duvidar').

5

O seguro desembolsou a indenização após o acidente.

The insurance disbursed the compensation after the accident.

Usage in a legal/insurance context.

6

Quanto dinheiro você já desembolsou com este projeto?

How much money have you already paid out on this project?

Pretérito Perfeito with the preposition 'com'.

7

É necessário desembolsar uma taxa de inscrição para o concurso.

It is necessary to pay out an application fee for the competition.

Impersonal expression 'É necessário' + infinitive.

8

Eles não quiseram desembolsar o valor pedido pelo vendedor.

They didn't want to pay out the amount requested by the seller.

Negative past tense with 'querer'.

1

O investidor desembolsou o capital inicial para a nova startup.

The investor disbursed the initial capital for the new startup.

High-level business vocabulary.

2

Caso o contrato seja assinado, o banco desembolsará o crédito.

If the contract is signed, the bank will disburse the credit.

Conditional sentence using 'Caso' + Subjunctive.

3

A prefeitura desembolsou milhões na revitalização do centro histórico.

The city hall disbursed millions in the revitalization of the historical center.

Usage in public administration context.

4

Não esperava ter que desembolsar tanto dinheiro em reparos domésticos.

I didn't expect to have to pay out so much money on home repairs.

Complex infinitive construction after 'esperava'.

5

Os acionistas exigem que a empresa desembolse os dividendos.

The shareholders demand that the company disburse the dividends.

Present Subjunctive after a verb of demand ('exigir').

6

Ao desembolsar o pagamento, certifique-se de pedir o recibo.

When paying out the payment, make sure to ask for the receipt.

Infinitive personal used as a temporal clause ('Ao' + infinitive).

7

Ele desembolsou a quantia devida para evitar o processo judicial.

He paid out the owed amount to avoid the lawsuit.

Formal legal/financial context.

8

Muitas famílias desembolsam fortunas com a educação dos filhos.

Many families pay out fortunes for their children's education.

General statement about societal trends.

1

A autarquia desembolsou os fundos europeus destinados à agricultura.

The local authority disbursed the European funds destined for agriculture.

Administrative and institutional vocabulary.

2

Embora relutante, o magnata desembolsou a fiança para o seu sobrinho.

Although reluctant, the tycoon disbursed the bail for his nephew.

Concessive clause ('Embora') and formal vocabulary ('magnata', 'fiança').

3

O erário público não pode desembolsar verbas sem a devida autorização.

The public treasury cannot disburse funds without due authorization.

Formal political/financial terminology ('erário público', 'verbas').

4

Seria imprudente desembolsar tal montante sem uma análise de risco prévia.

It would be imprudent to disburse such an amount without a prior risk analysis.

Conditional tense used for formal advice/observation.

5

O montante desembolsado pela seguradora cobriu apenas parte dos danos.

The amount disbursed by the insurer covered only part of the damages.

Passive participle used as an adjective ('montante desembolsado').

6

A fundação comprometeu-se a desembolsar bolsas de estudo anuais.

The foundation committed to disbursing annual scholarships.

Reflexive verb 'comprometer-se' + 'a' + infinitive.

7

É imperativo que o tesoureiro desembolse os salários pontualmente.

It is imperative that the treasurer disburse the salaries punctually.

Subjunctive mood after an impersonal expression of necessity.

8

Após a auditoria, a empresa teve que desembolsar os impostos sonegados.

After the audit, the company had to pay out the evaded taxes.

Context of tax law and corporate accountability.

1

O Tesouro Nacional viu-se na contingência de desembolsar verbas extraordinárias.

The National Treasury found itself in the contingency of disbursing extraordinary funds.

Highly formal, literary structure ('viu-se na contingência de').

2

A liquidez do mercado permitiu que os bancos desembolsassem créditos vultuosos.

Market liquidity allowed banks to disburse substantial credits.

Sophisticated financial vocabulary ('liquidez', 'vultuosos').

3

Não obstante a crise, a autarquia logrou desembolsar os subsídios prometidos.

Notwithstanding the crisis, the local authority managed to disburse the promised subsidies.

Formal connectors ('Não obstante') and verb 'lograr' (to manage/achieve).

4

A minúcia com que o contabilista desembolsa os pagamentos é admirável.

The meticulousness with which the accountant disburses payments is admirable.

Complex relative clause and high-level noun 'minúcia'.

5

Haverá sempre quem se recuse a desembolsar o quinhão que lhe cabe na sociedade.

There will always be those who refuse to pay out the share that falls to them in society.

Philosophical/sociological context with formal terms like 'quinhão'.

6

O protocolo exige que o Estado desembolse a compensação de forma célere.

The protocol requires the State to disburse the compensation in a swift manner.

Formal adjective 'célere' (swift) and administrative context.

7

A empresa foi compelida a desembolsar os lucros cessantes aos seus parceiros.

The company was compelled to disburse the lost profits to its partners.

Legal terminology 'lucros cessantes' (lost profits).

8

Dificilmente o governo desembolsaria tal soma sem o aval do parlamento.

Hardly would the government disburse such a sum without the parliament's endorsement.

Conditional tense used for high probability in formal contexts.

Common Collocations

Desembolsar uma quantia
Desembolsar dinheiro
Desembolsar o valor
Desembolsar fortunas
Desembolsar à vista
Desembolsar mensalmente
Desembolsar verbas
Desembolsar capital
Desembolsar do próprio bolso
Desembolsar imediatamente

Common Phrases

Ter que desembolsar

— To be forced or required to pay a certain amount.

Tivemos que desembolsar muito dinheiro.

Pronto para desembolsar

— Ready and willing to pay for something.

Estou pronto para desembolsar o que for preciso.

Evitar desembolsar

— To try not to pay or spend money.

Ele faz de tudo para evitar desembolsar um centavo.

Desembolsar sem querer

— To pay for something unexpectedly or by mistake.

Desembolsei uma taxa que não conhecia.

Quanto você desembolsou?

— A common way to ask someone how much they spent on something.

Quanto você desembolsou por esse celular novo?

Desembolsar em parcelas

— To pay an amount in several parts over time.

Vou desembolsar o valor em dez parcelas.

Desembolsar uma nota

— To pay a significant amount of money (colloquial).

Ele desembolsou uma nota preta naquele relógio.

Desembolsar antecipadamente

— To pay in advance.

É preciso desembolsar antecipadamente para garantir a reserva.

Desembolsar o total

— To pay the full amount at once.

Ela preferiu desembolsar o total para não ter dívidas.

Desembolsar por necessidade

— To pay because it is required, not because you want to.

Desembolsei o valor da multa por necessidade.

Idioms & Expressions

"Coçar o bolso"

— To have to find money to pay for something unexpected or expensive.

A reforma da casa me fez coçar o bolso.

Informal
"Abrir a mão"

— To stop being stingy and finally spend or give money.

Ele finalmente abriu a mão e desembolsou o jantar.

Informal
"Desembolsar uma grana preta"

— To pay a very large amount of money.

Tivemos que desembolsar uma grana preta no advogado.

Slang (Brazil)
"Morrer com uma nota"

— To 'die' with a bill, meaning to have to pay a lot of money.

Morri com uma nota no mecânico hoje.

Slang
"Pôr a mão no bolso"

— To prepare to pay for something.

Na hora de pôr a mão no bolso, todos sumiram.

Neutral/Informal
"Sangrar o bolso"

— To cause a significant financial loss or high expense.

Aquele imposto está sangrando o bolso do trabalhador.

Informal
"Desembolsar até o que não tem"

— To spend more than one can afford.

Ela desembolsou até o que não tinha naquela festa.

Informal
"Não querer desembolsar um tostão"

— To not want to spend a single cent (tostão is an old coin).

Ele é tão pão-duro que não quer desembolsar um tostão.

Informal
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