in English there is a separate word for each direction: I lend $5 to you. I borrow $5 from you

It just depends on the perspective of the speaker. Borrowing is giving something to someone and expecting to get it back. Lending is getting something from someone, that will need to be given back. There are some dialects of english that use borrow just like in German to mean lend as well as borrow. In new england you might actually be able to say "can you borrow me a few dollars." (We would normally have to say "can you lend me a few dollars")

Because borrow refers to the person receiving the money, and lend refers to the person who is giving the money to another person. Ex. I lent my friend $10 because he wanted to buy lunch. (My friend receives the money) Ex. I borrowed my dad's car so I could drive to work. (I received the car) I hope this answers your question, if you need further explanation feel free to message me! Damon Emerson