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How to Say ‘It's cash only.’ in French

C'est seulement en espèces.

suh eh suhl-mohn on ess-pehs

[suh eh suhl-mohn on ess-pehs]

🇫🇷 In France: Paris taxis are legally required to accept card payment, so a driver saying this is not within the rules. You can politely point that out.

Phrase Breakdown

C'est seulement

suh eh suhl-mohn

It's only

'Seulement' means 'only'. Say 'sè seul-man'.

Example

C'est seulement pour aujourd'hui.

It's only for today.

Words in this phrase

C'

[suh]

It

Used to refer to a thing previously mentioned.

Example

C'est incroyable.

It is incredible.

est

[eh]

is

Third person singular present of be.

Example

C'est important.

It is important.

seulement

[suhl-mohn]

only

Limits the condition; useful for teasing negotiation in flirting.

Example

Seulement si tu gardes ce sourire insolent.

Only if you keep that cheeky smile.

en espèces.

on ess-pehs

in cash.

'Espèces' means cash. Link the words as 'an-nès-pès'; the final 's' is silent.

Example

Je paie en espèces.

I'm paying in cash.

Words in this phrase

en

[on]

in

A preposition indicating inclusion within a space.

Example

Il est en France.

He is in France.

espèces

[ess-pehs]

cash

Means cash money, notes and coins.

Example

Je vais payer en espèces si c'est plus simple.

I'm going to pay in cash if that's easier.

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