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How to Say ‘Wow, I was planning to pay like that.’ in Spain Spanish

Vaya, pensaba pagar así.

BYE-ah pen-SAH-bah pah-GAR ah-SEE

[BYE-ah pen-SAH-bah pah-GAR ah-SEE]

💬 Usage Tip: [Pensaba + infinitive] often means "I was planning to..." or "I was thinking of..." You can reuse it to explain intentions politely: [pensaba pagar con tarjeta], [pensaba sacar dinero antes].

Phrase Breakdown

Vaya

[BYE-ah]

oh / well

Reaction word showing surprise or mild frustration.

Example

Vaya, no sabía que aquí no aceptaban tarjeta.

Oh, I did not know they did not accept card here.

Pensaba pagar así

pen-SAH-bah pah-GAR ah-SEE

I was planning to pay that way

Shows a past intention or plan; 'así' refers to the mentioned method.

Example

Pensaba ir andando.

I was planning to go on foot.

Words in this phrase

pensaba

[pen-SAH-bah]

I was planning

Expresses a previous intention that may now change.

Example

Pensaba salir rápido, pero primero tengo que buscar efectivo.

I was planning to leave quickly, but first I have to look for cash.

pagar

[pah-GAR]

to pay

Useful verb in shops, taxis, and restaurants.

Example

Necesito pagar antes de que el taxi se marche.

I need to pay before the taxi leaves.

así

[ah-SEE]

like this / this way

Refers to the way something is done.

Example

Prefiero hacerlo así porque es más rápido.

I prefer to do it this way because it is faster.

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