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How to Say ‘Sorry, cash only.’ in Traditional Chinese

不好意思，只收現金喔。

bù hǎo yì sī zhǐ shōu xiàn jīn ō

[boo how-ee-suh zhǐ show xiànjīn oh]

🇹🇼 In Taiwan: The 喔 at the end makes the refusal sound gentle rather than curt, which is very typical of Taiwanese service speech. Many taxis in Taiwan still prefer cash, so carrying some bills is wise.

Phrase Breakdown

不好意思，

bù hǎo yì sī

Sorry,

A polite 'sorry / excuse me', very common in Taiwan. It is pronounced bù hǎo yì si, with the last syllable light.

Example

不好意思，請問廁所在哪裡？

Excuse me, where is the restroom?

Words in this phrase

不好意思

bù hǎo yì sī

[boo how-ee-suh]

excuse me; sorry

A polite opening when speaking to a stranger.

Example

不好意思打擾了，但你的穿搭很好看。

Sorry to bother you, but your outfit looks great.

只收現金喔。

zhǐ shōu xiàn jīn ō

we only take cash.

只收現金 means 'cash only'. 喔 (o) is a friendly final particle that softens the reminder.

Example

夜市只收現金喔。

The night market only takes cash, you know.

Words in this phrase

只

zhǐ

[zhǐ]

only

Used to show that something is limited to a particular group, thing, or amount.

Example

我只想要一杯咖啡。

I only want one cup of coffee.

收

shōu

[show]

accept; receive

In payment contexts, it means to accept money or a payment method.

Example

有些小店只收現金。

Some small shops only accept cash.

現金

xiàn jīn

[xiànjīn]

cash

Physical money in the form of bills or coins.

Example

我只有現金支付。

I can only pay with cash.

喔

[oh]

oh; sentence-softening particle

Adds a friendly, relaxed tone to responses like 好喔.

Example

可以做熱的喔。

We can make it hot, okay.

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