bezahlen vs zahlen

Hi

Is there a difference between zahlen and bezahlen or can they be used interchangeably. Come across bezahlen on Rocket, but in other learning sites have come across.

Kann ich bitte zahlen?"

Are both correct?

Danke 

Maxie

Hi Maxie, 

These verbs are often perfectly interchangeable, and you’ll hear people use both! The only major difference is that zahlen isn't normally used to talk about paying a person, while bezahlen is, for example:

"Ich zahle den Einkauf." - “I pay (for) the purchase.”

“Ich bezahle den Verkäufer.” - “I pay the salesperson.”

Viele Grüße,

Julia