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How to Say ‘Will you scan a QR code or pay cash?’ in Simplified Chinese

您扫码还是付现金？

nín sǎo mǎ hái shì fù xiàn jīn

[neen sǎomǎ high shr foo shyen-jin]

💬 Usage Tip: 还是 (hái shi) between two choices makes an "A or B?" question, with no question word needed. Try 喝茶还是喝咖啡？ "tea or coffee?". In plain statements, "or" is 或者 instead.

Phrase Breakdown

您扫码

nín sǎo mǎ

will you scan the QR code

扫码 (sǎo mǎ) means 'scan a code'. These are two 3rd tones, so 扫 is said in the 2nd tone: sáo mǎ.

Example

您扫码付款吧。

Please scan the code to pay.

Words in this phrase

您

nín

[neen]

you (polite)

A respectful form of “you,” used when speaking politely to someone, such as a recruiter or company representative.

Example

很高兴认识您，希望向您多学习。

It’s a pleasure to meet you; I hope to learn more from you.

扫码

sǎo mǎ

[sǎomǎ]

scan a QR code

Pay or connect by scanning a code with a phone.

Example

可以扫码付款吗？

Can I pay by scanning the code?

还是付现金？

hái shì fù xiàn jīn

or pay in cash?

还是 (hái shi) means 'or' in questions. 付现金 (fù xiàn jīn) means 'pay cash'.

Example

喝茶还是喝咖啡？

Tea or coffee?

Words in this phrase

还是

hái shì

[high shr]

还是 is used to present choices, like asking which option someone wants.

Example

你要热的还是冰的？

Do you want it hot or iced?

付

fù

[foo]

to pay

A short, spoken verb meaning to pay money.

Example

今天我来付吧。

Let me pay today.

现金

xiàn jīn

[shyen-jin]

cash

Physical money such as bills and coins.

Example

我今天只带了现金。

I only brought cash today.

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