払う

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 払う is read as はらう and is a transitive verb meaning to pay money or brush something off a surface.
• Basic usage: Paying a charge appears in 昼食代を払う, while removing snow from clothing appears in 上着の雪を払う.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• Meaning determined by the object
  • With money or a charge it means “pay,” while with snow or dust attached to something it means “brush off.”
• Difference from 支払う
  • 支払う concentrates on paying a price or expense, while 払う also covers brushing away snow or dust.