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How to Say ‘Are you paying by card or in cash?’ in French

Vous payez par carte ou en espèces ?

voo pay-YAY pahr kart oo on es-PESS

[voo pay-YAY pahr kart oo on es-PESS]

🇫🇷 In France: Cards are accepted almost everywhere in France, including for small amounts. Contactless payment is routine.

Phrase Breakdown

Vous payez

voo pay-YAY

Are you paying

This is the polite 'vous' form of 'payer'. 'Payez' sounds like 'pay-yay'.

Example

Vous payez maintenant ?

Are you paying now?

Words in this phrase

Vous

[voo]

you

Used to refer to the person or people being addressed.

Example

Vous aimez le film?

Do you like the movie?

payez

[pay-YAY]

pay

Form of the verb payer used with vous.

Example

Vous payez à la caisse.

You pay at the till.

par carte

pahr kart

by card

'Par carte' means paying by bank card. Roll the r lightly at the back of your throat.

Example

Je paie par carte.

I pay by card.

Words in this phrase

par

[pahr]

After 'commencer', it introduces the first step.

Example

Commence par lire.

Start by reading.

carte

[kart]

card (bank card)

Here a payment card; also menu or map.

Example

J'ai oublié ma carte.

I forgot my card.

ou en espèces ?

oo on es-PESS

or in cash?

'En espèces' means 'in cash'. Link the words with a z sound: 'en-nes-pèce'. The final s is silent.

Example

Je préfère payer en espèces.

I prefer to pay in cash.

Words in this phrase

[oo]

A conjunction used to offer an alternative or another option.

Example

Ou en terrasse si vous préférez.

Or on the terrace if you prefer.

[on]

A preposition indicating inclusion within a space.

Example

Il est en France.

He is in France.

espèces

[es-PESS]

cash

Used in 'en espèces' meaning paying in cash.

Example

Je paie en espèces.

I pay in cash.

Guides for French learners

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.Hello in French: Greetings, Good Evening and How to Answer "How Are You?"How to say hello in French, when to switch to good evening, how to ask how are you and what to answer, with tu vs vous and native audio.

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