How do you say "I do not have enough cash on me." in French?

"I do not have enough cash on me." in French is "Je n'ai pas assez d'espèces sur moi.". This phrase is commonly used in France.

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How to Say ‘I do not have enough cash on me.’ in French

Q: What does "Je n'ai pas assez d'espèces sur moi." mean in English?

"Je n'ai pas assez d'espèces sur moi." means "I do not have enough cash on me." in English. Usage tip: After [pas], French usually changes [des] to [d'], so [j'ai des espèces] becomes [je n'ai pas d'espèces]. That same pattern works with many nouns: [je n'ai pas de temps].

Je n'ai pas assez d'espèces sur moi.

zhuh n eh pah ah-SAY d es-PESS sewr mwah

[zhuh n eh pah ah-SAY d es-PESS sewr mwah]

💬 Usage Tip: After [pas], French usually changes [des] to [d'], so [j'ai des espèces] becomes [je n'ai pas d'espèces]. That same pattern works with many nouns: [je n'ai pas de temps].

Phrase Breakdown

Je n'ai pas

zhuh n eh pah

I don't have

Negative form of avoir used to say you lack something.

Example

Je n'ai pas de monnaie.

I don't have any change.

Words in this phrase

[zhuh]

The speaker is referring to themself.

Example

Je n'ai pas assez d'espèces sur moi aujourd'hui.

I don't have enough cash on me today.

[n]

not

Contracted negative element before a vowel.

Example

Je n'ai pas de petite monnaie.

I don't have small change.

[eh]

have

Form of avoir meaning possess or have.

Example

J'ai seulement ma carte bancaire.

I only have my bank card.

pas

[pah]

not

Completes the negative form with n'.

Example

Je n'ai pas assez pour tout payer.

I don't have enough to pay for everything.

assez

[ah-SAY]

enough

Indicates a sufficient amount, here in the negative meaning not sufficient.

Example

Je n'ai pas assez pour la note.

I don't have enough for the bill.

D'espèces

d es-PESS

cash / in cash

Refers to physical money, not card payment.

Example

Je paie en espèces.

I pay in cash.

Words in this phrase

[d]

Contracted de before a vowel sound.

Example

Je n'ai pas d'espèces du tout.

I don't have any cash at all.

espèces

[es-PESS]

cash

Money in physical form, not card payment.

Example

Les espèces sont parfois nécessaires dans les taxis.

Cash is sometimes necessary in taxis.

Sur moi

sewr mwah

on me / with me

Used to say you have something in your possession right now.

Example

Je n'ai pas mon portefeuille sur moi.

I don't have my wallet on me.

Words in this phrase

sur

[sewr]

Part of sur moi, meaning on me or with me.

Example

Je n'ai rien sur moi ce soir.

I have nothing on me tonight.

moi

[mwah]

Stressed pronoun used after sur.

Example

Je garde toujours un peu d'argent sur moi.

I always keep a little money on me.

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