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'.
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.
C'est incroyable.
It is incredible.
est
[eh]
is
Third person singular present of be.
C'est important.
It is important.
seulement
[suhl-mohn]
only
Limits the condition; useful for teasing negotiation in flirting.
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.
Je paie en espèces.
I'm paying in cash.
Words in this phrase
en
[on]
in
A preposition indicating inclusion within a space.
Il est en France.
He is in France.
espèces
[ess-pehs]
cash
Means cash money, notes and coins.
Je vais payer en espèces si c'est plus simple.
I'm going to pay in cash if that's easier.
Guides for French learners
Get the Full Learning Experience
This lesson is just a preview. Download PrettyFluent to practice pronunciation, roleplay conversations, and master vocabulary with spaced repetition.
Pronunciation Feedback
AI-powered feedback on what you say out loud
Spaced Repetition
Retain vocabulary long-term with smart practice
Immersive Roleplaying
Practice real conversations with AI partners
Lessons for Your Situation
Request lessons tailored to your specific needs
What Learners Are Saying
“Moved to Lyon for a culinary apprenticeship. The food and restaurant lessons were exactly what I needed — my French colleagues were genuinely impressed.”
Tom H., 38, Chef
“Studying in Paris and the academic French I learned in school was useless for daily life. This app filled the gap in weeks, not months.”
Nina W., 29, Graduate Student
“Learning a language has never been as immediately impactful. Now I can charm the locals and navigate the food scene like a boss.”
Alex M., 42, Software Engineer