How to Say ‘Scan to pay or cash?’ in Simplified Chinese
扫码还是现金？
sǎo mǎ hái shì xiàn jīn
[sow mah háishì shyen jeen]
💬 Usage Tip: To ask "this or that?", put 还是 (hái shì) between the two choices. For example, 茶还是咖啡？ "tea or coffee?"
🇨🇳 In China: Paying by scanning a QR code with WeChat or Alipay is the norm in China, and cash is now rare. Shops are supposed to accept cash, but they sometimes struggle to give change.
Phrase Breakdown
扫码
sǎo mǎ
[sow mah]
to scan a code
Usually means scanning a QR code to pay with a phone.
现在很多出租车都可以扫码。
Now many taxis allow you to scan a code to pay.
还是现金？
hái shì xiàn jīn
or cash?
还是 (háishi) means 'or' in a question that offers a choice. 现金 (xiànjīn) means 'cash'.
你要茶还是咖啡？
Do you want tea or coffee?
Words in this phrase
还是
hái shì
[háishì]
or
Used to link alternatives.
你想喝茶还是咖啡？
Do you want tea or coffee?
现金
xiàn jīn
[shyen jeen]
cash
Physical money such as bills and coins, not digital payment.
我今天只带了现金。
I only brought cash today.
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