What does "lump sum" mean?

A single large payment of money, as opposed to several smaller payments We say 'lump sum' not 'big sum' or 'one-time sum'. 'Pay a lump sum' or 'receive a lump sum' are the standard verbal collocations.

How do you use "lump sum" in a sentence?

She received a lump sum when she retired. He paid for the car in a lump sum. You can either pay monthly or in a lump sum.

lump sum

Collocation BritishAmericanAustralian ★★★★☆ Common Neutral

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Meaning: A single large payment of money, as opposed to several smaller payments

一次性支付的大笔金额，而非分多次小额支付

Un pago único de una gran cantidad de dinero, en lugar de varios pagos más pequeños

複数回に分けるのではなく、一度にまとめて支払う大きな金額

여러 번에 나누지 않고 한 번에 지불하는 큰 금액

We say 'lump sum' not 'big sum' or 'one-time sum'. 'Pay a lump sum' or 'receive a lump sum' are the standard verbal collocations.

我们说'lump sum'而不是'big sum'或'one-time sum'。'Pay a lump sum'或'receive a lump sum'是标准的动词搭配。

Decimos 'lump sum' y no 'big sum' ni 'one-time sum'. 'Pay a lump sum' o 'receive a lump sum' son las colocaciones verbales estándar.

「lump sum」と言い、「big sum」や「one-time sum」とは言いません。「pay a lump sum」や「receive a lump sum」が標準的な動詞搭配です。

'lump sum'이라고 하며, 'big sum'이나 'one-time sum'이라고 하지 않습니다. 'pay a lump sum' 또는 'receive a lump sum'이 표준 동사 연어입니다.

Examples

She received a lump sum when she retired.
她退休时收到了一笔一次性付款。
Recibió una suma global cuando se jubiló.
彼女は退職時に一時金を受け取った。
그녀는 퇴직할 때 일시금을 받았다.
He paid for the car in a lump sum.
他一次性付清了买车的钱。
Pagó el coche de una sola vez.
彼は車の代金を一括で支払った。
그는 차 대금을 일시불로 지불했다.
You can either pay monthly or in a lump sum.
你可以选择每月支付或一次性付清。
Puedes pagar mensualmente o de una sola vez.
月払いか一括払いかを選べます。
월 납부와 일시불 중 선택할 수 있습니다.

Pronunciation

Usage Guide

Context: financial, pensions, legal

Tone: factual

✓ Do Say

She received a lump sum of fifty thousand.
她收到了五万英镑的一次性付款。
Recibió una suma global de cincuenta mil libras.
彼女は5万ポンドの一時金を受け取った。
그녀는 5만의 일시금을 받았다.
Would you prefer a lump sum or monthly payments?
你想要一次性付款还是分期付款？
¿Preferirías una suma global o pagos mensuales?
一括払いと月払い、どちらがいいですか？
일시불과 월 납부 중 어느 쪽을 선호하시나요?

✗ Don't Say

She received a big sum of fifty thousand. (use 'lump sum' not 'big sum' for a one-off payment)
She received a big sum of fifty thousand.（一次性支付用'lump sum'而不是'big sum'）
She received a big sum of fifty thousand.（para un pago único se usa 'lump sum' y no 'big sum'）
She received a big sum of fifty thousand.（一回の支払いには「big sum」ではなく「lump sum」を使います）
She received a big sum of fifty thousand.(일시불에는 'big sum'이 아니라 'lump sum'을 사용합니다)
She received a whole sum of fifty thousand. (use 'lump sum' not 'whole sum')
She received a whole sum of fifty thousand.（用'lump sum'而不是'whole sum'）
She received a whole sum of fifty thousand.（se usa 'lump sum' y no 'whole sum'）
She received a whole sum of fifty thousand.（「whole sum」ではなく「lump sum」を使います）
She received a whole sum of fifty thousand.('whole sum'이 아니라 'lump sum'을 사용합니다)

Origin & History

Natural English financial collocation — 'lump' refers to a large amount gathered together, paired with 'sum' for a single total payment.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal