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How to Say ‘Can I pay by card?’ in French

Je peux payer par carte ?

zhuh puh pay-YAY PAR KART

[zhuh puh pay-YAY PAR KART]

🇫🇷 In France: Cards are accepted almost everywhere, but small bakeries or cafés sometimes set a minimum amount. That's why it's worth asking before you order.

Phrase Breakdown

Je peux payer

zhuh puh pay-YAY

Can I pay

'Je peux' means 'I can'. Say it smoothly: 'zhuh puh pay-YAY'.

Example

Je peux payer en espèces ?

Can I pay in cash?

Words in this phrase

Je

[zhuh]

I

Pronoun used by the speaker to identify themselves.

Example

Je suis content.

I am happy.

peux

[puh]

can / may

From the verb pouvoir; used to ask permission or say what you are able to do.

Example

Est-ce que je peux vous parler après le cours ?

May I speak to you after class?

payer

[pay-YAY]

to pay

Infinitive verb meaning to pay for something.

Example

Je dois payer le taxi.

I have to pay the taxi.

par carte ?

PAR KART

by card?

'Par carte' means by bank card. Lightly roll both 'r' sounds in the throat: 'par KART'. Raise your voice at the end.

Example

Je paie par carte.

I'm paying by card.

Words in this phrase

par

[PAR]

by / with

Here it indicates the means or method used.

Example

Je voyage par train.

I travel by train.

carte

[KART]

card

Here it means a bank or credit card.

Example

J'ai oublié ma carte bancaire.

I forgot my bank card.

Related guides

Ordering in French: Cafés, Bakeries and Restaurants (with Menu Vocabulary)How to order in French at a café, a bakery and a restaurant: the phrases, the questions staff ask, and the menu and food vocabulary to understand the answers.How to Learn to Speak French, Not Just Read ItWhy reading French doesn't make you speak it, and a practical way to learn to speak French: real conversations, speaking out loud from day one, and practice with people.

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