top-up payment

[/tɒp ʌp ˈpeɪmənt/]
nounpl: top-up payments
pagamento complementar
1. An additional payment made to bring an account, balance, or amount up to a desired or required level
I made a top-up payment to increase the balance on my prepaid phone.
Fiz um pagamento complementar para aumentar o saldo do meu celular pré-pago.
2. A supplementary payment to cover a shortfall or deficit
The company required a top-up payment to reach the minimum pension contribution.
A empresa exigiu um pagamento complementar para atingir a contribuição mínima de pensão.
3. Additional funds added to a service account, subscription, or prepaid plan
She made a top-up payment to her mobile account before traveling abroad.
Ela fez um pagamento complementar em sua conta móvel antes de viajar para o exterior.
In Brazil, 'recarga' is extremely common in everyday language, especially regarding mobile phone prepaid services and digital wallets. The financial sector uses 'pagamento complementar' more formally. In the US and UK, 'top-up payment' is standard terminology for prepaid services, while Brazilians often simplify it to just 'recarga' in casual conversation.
Synonyms / Sinônimos
additional paymentsupplementary paymentrefill paymentrechargetop-up
Antonyms / Antônimos
withdrawaldeductionrefund

Regional Variations

General Brazilian Portuguese
pagamento complementar
Most common and formal translation used across Brazil
São Paulo
recarga
Commonly used for mobile phone and service top-ups; more informal
Rio de Janeiro
pagamento extra
Alternative informal usage for additional payments
Portugal
recarga
Widely used in Portugal, particularly for mobile phone credits

Related Words

prepaid accountbalancerechargeaccount creditsupplementary fee

Related Idioms & Phrases

top up the balance
make a top-up
top-up contribution
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