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

¿Puedo pagar con tarjeta?

PWEH-doh pah-GAHR kohn tahr-HEH-tah

[PWEH-doh pah-GAHR kohn tahr-HEH-tah]

💬 Usage Tip: ¿Puedo...? plus an action is a handy way to ask permission. Swap the ending: ¿Puedo pagar en efectivo? "Can I pay in cash?"

🇲🇽 In Mexico: Many street taxis in Mexico are cash only, so ask before you get in, not when you arrive. App rides avoid the issue entirely.

Phrase Breakdown

¿Puedo pagar

PWEH-doh pah-GAHR

Can I pay

'Puedo' means 'I can' and sounds like 'PWEH-do'. Stress 'GAR' in 'pagar'.

Example

¿Puedo pagar después?

Can I pay later?

Words in this phrase

Puedo

[PWEH-doh]

can I

Polite way to ask 'can I,' useful for offering something in a friendly way.

Example

¿“puedo” pedirte una bebida?

Can I order you a drink?

pagar

[pah-GAHR]

pay

Verb used when giving money for goods or services.

Example

¿Puedo pagar con tarjeta o tengo que pagar en efectivo?

Can I pay with card or do I have to pay in cash?

con tarjeta?

kohn tahr-HEH-tah

by card?

'Tarjeta' means 'card'. Stress 'JE' (sounds like 'HEH'): tar-HEH-ta.

Example

Pago con tarjeta.

I'll pay by card.

Words in this phrase

con

[kohn]

with

Preposition meaning 'with'; shows accompaniment or a characteristic.

Example

Con experiencia puedes aspirar a más.

With experience, you can aim for more.

tarjeta

[tahr-HEH-tah]

card

Usually refers to a bank or credit/debit card.

Example

No traje efectivo, así que pagaré con tarjeta.

I didn’t bring cash, so I’ll pay with card.

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