Borrow from Meaning in English

expression

US

ˈbɑˌɹoʊ/ /ˈfɹəm

BAH-roh frum

UK

bˈɒɹəʊ/ /fɹˈɒm

BOR-oh from

Definition

To take and use something that belongs to someone else, with the intention of returning it. Can also mean to take ideas or words from another source.

Usage & Nuances

Used for both physical things and abstract ideas. Often followed by a person ('borrow from a friend') or source ('borrow from another book'). Don't say 'borrow to'; 'borrow' is always 'from.'

• Spanish: pedir prestado a - tomar prestado de
• Portuguese (BR): emprestar de
• Portuguese (PT): pedir emprestado a - tirar de
• Chinese (Simplified): 向...借
• Chinese (Traditional): 向...借
• Hindi: से उधार लेना
• Arabic: يستعير من
• Bengali: ধার নেওয়া (কারো কাছ থেকে) - অনুকরণ করা
• Russian: брать взаймы у - заимствовать у
• Japanese: 〜から借りる - 〜から取り入れる
• Vietnamese: mượn từ
• Korean: ~에서 빌리다 - ~에서 차용하다
• Turkish: -den ödünç almak - -den almak (fikir, tarz vb.)
• Urdu: سے ادھار لینا - سے اخذ کرنا
• Indonesian: meminjam dari - mengambil dari (ide, kata, dll.)

Example Sentences

Can I borrow from your pencil case?

basic

He often borrows from his brother when he needs money.

basic

We can borrow from other cultures to improve our festival.

basic

Sometimes, the best recipes are borrowed from grandma.

natural

The movie's style was clearly borrowed from classic films.

natural

I had to borrow from Peter to pay Paul this month.

natural