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

Paga com cartão ou em dinheiro?

PAH-guh kohng kar-TOWNG oh ehm dee-NYAY-roo

[PAH-guh kohng kar-TOWNG oh ehm dee-NYAY-roo]

🇵🇹 In Portugal: Cards are widely accepted, but some small cafés prefer cash for tiny amounts like a single coffee. Carrying some coins is handy.

Phrase Breakdown

Paga com cartão

PAH-guh kohng kar-TOWNG

Are you paying by card

This is the first option. Keep the voice up before 'ou'.

Example

Paga com cartão hoje?

Are you paying by card today?

Words in this phrase

Paga

[PAH-guh]

do you pay

From 'pagar'; formal 'you pay'.

Example

Paga agora ou depois?

Do you pay now or later?

com

[kohng]

with

Preposition used to connect an idea to a quality, person, or thing.

Example

Com experiência internacional, o candidato destaca-se mais.

With international experience, the candidate stands out more.

cartão

[kar-TOWNG]

card

Usually refers to a bank card or credit/debit card.

Example

Posso pagar com cartão?

Can I pay by card?

ou em dinheiro?

oh ehm dee-NYAY-roo

or in cash?

'Em dinheiro' means 'in cash'. Say it as din-YAY-roo, with a nasal 'em' that links into it.

Example

Prefiro pagar em dinheiro.

I prefer to pay in cash.

Words in this phrase

[oh]

Used to present an alternative in a question or comparison.

Example

No networking, posso perguntar se o ambiente é formal ou descontraído.

In networking, I can ask whether the atmosphere is formal or relaxed.

[ehm]

Used to indicate inclusion within space or limits.

Example

Está em casa.

It's in the house.

dinheiro

[dee-NYAY-roo]

cash

Money in coins or banknotes, not card.

Example

Se não aceitam cartão, pergunto "Posso pagar em dinheiro?"

If they do not accept card, I ask "Can I pay in cash?"

Guides for Portuguese learners

The Portuguese You Actually Need in Your First Month in PortugalThe European Portuguese phrases for your first weeks in Portugal: paperwork, renting a flat, the bank, the health centre, cafés, trains and your new neighbours.

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