Borrow - lend

In ordinary spoken English, in many British dialects, including that of Hull, these two are used interchangeably. In academic English, use them in the distinct and separate meanings called 'correct' - in the sense that to borrow is to take something for a short period of time; and to lend is to give something, temporarily.

There is as much difference between lending and borrowing as there is between buying and selling - which people do not confuse! The difference in both cases is one of the direction of the transaction.

The owner of something lends it to the borrower. Someone who does not own something may borrow it from the owner.

(It infuriates pedantic teachers when pupils say, "Can I lend one of your pens please?" A person cannot lend someone else's property. The pupil wants to borrow the teacher's pen - that is, to have the temporary use of it. The sarcastic teacher's reply is "Yes. Who do you want to lend it to?" - or if he is a real pedant, "To whom do you want to lend it?")