Daily English Day 7: Paying – Cash or Card

When you go shopping, eat at a restaurant, or buy a ticket, you will need to pay. In English, there are many useful phrases for paying and asking about payment options. One of the most common questions is whether you can pay with cash or card. In this lesson, you will learn how to handle these everyday situations with confidence.

1. Key Phrases for Paying

When the cashier or waiter is ready for payment, you may hear:

• “That will be $15.”

• “Your total is $25.30.”

• “The bill comes to $42.”

• “Here’s your receipt.”

You can respond with simple sentences:

• “Can I pay by card?”

• “Do you take cash?”

• “I’ll pay with my credit card.”

• “I’d like to pay in cash.”

• “Can I use a debit card?”

2. Asking About Payment Methods

It’s common to check before you buy something, especially in small shops or when traveling. You can ask:

• “Do you accept credit cards?”

• “Can I pay by debit card?”

• “Is cash okay?”

• “Do you take Visa or Mastercard?”

• “Can I pay with mobile payment, like Apple Pay?”

These phrases are polite and useful.

3. Paying in Cash

Cash is simple. Hand the money to the cashier and say:

• “Here you go.”

• “Here’s $20.”

• “I’ll pay in cash.”

If you don’t have exact change, you can say:

• “Here’s $50.”

• “Do you have change?”

• “Can you break a $100 bill?”

When the cashier gives you change, they may say:

• “Here’s your change.”

• “Here’s $12 back.”

• “And here’s your receipt.”

You can reply:

• “Thank you.”

• “Thanks a lot.”

4. Paying by Card

When you pay by card, the cashier may say:

• “Please insert your card.”

• “Please tap your card.”

• “Can you enter your PIN?”

• “Can you sign here, please?”

You can respond:

• “Sure.”

• “No problem.”

• “Here you go.”

Sometimes, the machine may not work. The cashier might say:

• “I’m sorry, your card was declined.”

• “The machine isn’t working. Do you have cash?”

You can answer:

• “I’ll try again.”

• “I’ll use another card.”

• “I’ll pay in cash instead.”

5. Useful Dialogues

Dialogue 1: Paying in Cash

Cashier: That will be $12.50.
You: Here’s $20.
Cashier: Out of $20. Here’s $7.50 change.
You: Thank you!

Dialogue 2: Paying by Card

Waiter: The bill is $35.
You: Can I pay by card?
Waiter: Of course. Please insert your card.
You: Okay. (inserts card)
Waiter: Please sign here.
You: (signs) Thank you.
Waiter: Thank you, have a great day!

Dialogue 3: Machine Problem

Cashier: The total is $18.
You: Can I pay by card?
Cashier: Sorry, the machine isn’t working today. Cash only.
You: No problem. Here’s $20.
Cashier: Thank you. Here’s your change.

6. Polite Expressions

When paying, politeness is important. Use these expressions:

• “Could I pay by card, please?”

• “Is it okay if I pay in cash?”

• “May I use contactless?”

• “Thank you very much.”

Polite language makes the interaction friendly and smooth.

7. Cultural Notes

• In some countries, cash is still more common than cards (for example, in small markets or taxis).

• In big cities, card payment and mobile apps are widely used.

• Tipping: In restaurants, you may need to add a tip when paying. For example, in the U.S., you can write the tip amount on the bill before signing.

8. Practice Exercises

A. Fill in the blanks

1. “Do you ______ credit cards?”

2. “Can I pay ___ cash?”

3. “Here’s $50. Do you have ______?”

(Answers: accept, in, change)

B. Make your own dialogue

Imagine you are at a café. The bill is $8. Create a short conversation paying with a card.

9. Vocabulary List

• Cash – paper money and coins.

• Card – credit card or debit card.

• Receipt – paper record of your payment.

• Change – money you get back after paying more than the price.

• PIN – personal identification number for your card.

• Declined – when the card is not accepted.

• Contactless – tapping your card instead of inserting it.

10. Summary

Paying is a basic but essential skill when using English abroad. Whether you use cash or card, the key is to:

• Ask politely about payment options.

• Use clear phrases when handing money or a card.

• Respond naturally when something goes wrong.

By practicing these dialogues and vocabulary, you’ll feel more confident the next time you go shopping, eat at a restaurant, or travel in an English-speaking country.

What does “cash or card” mean?

“Cash or card” asks how you want to pay. Cash means banknotes and coins. Card usually means a credit or debit card. In many places, both are accepted. Staff might also say “How would you like to pay?” or “Any payment method?” You can answer simply: “Cash, please,” “By card, please,” or “I’ll use my debit card.” If you’re unsure, ask, “Do you accept cards?”

How do I politely ask which payment methods are accepted?

Use clear, friendly questions before you order or at the counter: “Do you accept credit cards?” “Can I pay by debit card?” “Is cash okay?” “Do you take Visa or Mastercard?” “Do you accept mobile payments like Apple Pay or Google Pay?” Start with “Could I…” or “May I…” to sound more polite: “Could I pay by card, please?” “May I pay in cash?”

How do I say I will pay in cash or by card?

Keep your sentence short and direct: “I’ll pay in cash.” “I’d like to pay by card.” “Card, please.” “Cash, please.” When handing over money, say “Here you go” or “Here’s $20.” When paying by card, you can say “Here’s my card” or “I’ll tap.” After you pay, respond with “Thank you,” “Thanks a lot,” or “Have a nice day.”

What’s the difference between a credit card and a debit card?

A credit card borrows money from your card issuer up to a limit, and you pay it back later. A debit card takes money directly from your bank account. For speaking, you can usually say “card,” but if staff ask, answer accurately: “It’s debit,” or “It’s credit.” Some shops treat them differently for fees or offline processing, so be ready to clarify.

How do I use contactless (tap to pay) or a chip-and-PIN?

Many terminals support contactless: the cashier may say, “Please tap your card,” or “You can tap when it’s ready.” If contactless isn’t available, you may hear, “Please insert your card and enter your PIN,” or “Please swipe.” You can ask, “Is contactless okay?” or “Should I insert?” After tapping or inserting, wait for “Approved” and the prompt to remove your card or sign.

What should I say if my card is declined?

Stay calm and polite. The cashier might say, “I’m sorry, your card was declined,” or “It didn’t go through.” Try: “I’ll try again,” “Could we try contactless?” “I’ll use another card,” or “I’ll pay in cash instead.” If you think it’s a bank issue, say, “I’ll contact my bank,” and ask, “Could you hold my order for a moment?”

Do small shops prefer cash? How do I check?

Yes, many small businesses, markets, and food stalls prefer cash or set a minimum for card payments. Ask before ordering: “Do you accept cards, or is it cash only?” or “Is there a card minimum?” If they say “cash only,” reply, “No problem, I’ll pay in cash,” or “I’ll grab some cash and come back.” This avoids awkward surprises at the register.

What is a card minimum, surcharge, or service fee?

A card minimum is the smallest amount you must spend to use a card (e.g., $5). A surcharge or service fee is an extra amount added to cover processing costs. Ask, “Is there a minimum for card payments?” or “Is there a card surcharge?” If there is, decide whether to add an item, pay cash, or accept the fee. Confirm the total: “So the total is $10.50, right?”

How do I ask for a receipt, and why is it important?

Say, “Could I have a receipt, please?” or “Receipt, please.” A receipt proves payment, shows taxes, and helps with returns, warranties, or expense reports. For digital receipts, ask, “Do you email receipts?” or “Can I get a digital receipt?” If the cashier prints one automatically, take it and say, “Thank you.” Keep it until you confirm charges on your statement.

How do I split the bill or pay separately?

At restaurants or cafés, ask before paying: “Can we split the bill?” “Could we pay separately?” or “We’ll do separate checks, please.” If you’re sharing, say, “We’ll split it evenly,” or “I’ll pay for the drinks; she’ll cover the food.” For cards, clarify: “We’ll put $20 on this card and the rest in cash.” Confirm the amounts: “So mine is $18.90, correct?”

How do tipping and service charges work when paying?

Practices vary by country. In some places, a service charge is included; in others, you add a tip. Ask, “Is service included?” or “Do I add a tip here?” On a card machine you might see tip options or “Add gratuity?” For cash, hand the tip to the server or leave it on the table. Helpful language: “I’d like to add 10%,” “Please add $5 as a tip,” or “No tip, thank you.”

How do I ask for change or break a large bill?

If you pay cash without exact change, the cashier will return the difference: “Here’s your change.” If you need smaller bills or coins, ask, “Could you break a $50?” or “Do you have smaller bills?” If they can’t, they may say, “Sorry, I don’t have change.” In that case, try another shop, buy a small item, or use a card if accepted.

How can I avoid extra fees with a foreign card?

Watch for foreign transaction fees from your bank and dynamic currency conversion (DCC) at the terminal. If asked to choose a currency, using the local currency often costs less. You can say, “I’ll pay in local currency.” If you see an unfamiliar fee, ask, “What is this fee for?” and decide whether to proceed with cash or another card.

What if the card machine is offline or the system is down?

Staff might say, “The machine isn’t working—cash only,” or “Our system is down.” Respond with, “No problem, I’ll pay in cash,” or “Can you hold my order while I get cash?” If you can’t pay, ask politely, “Could I come back later to pay?” Most places will hold your order briefly, especially if you’ve already ordered food or goods.

How do mobile wallets (Apple Pay/Google Pay) fit in?

Mobile wallets are common where contactless is supported. Ask, “Do you accept Apple Pay/Google Pay?” At the prompt, unlock your phone or watch and hold it near the reader. If it fails, try again or switch to a physical card or cash. Useful phrases: “I’ll use Apple Pay,” “I’ll tap with my phone,” and “It didn’t go through—let me try my card.”

How do refunds and returns work with cash vs. card?

Policies vary by store. With card payments, refunds usually go back to the same card. With cash payments, refunds are often given in cash, store credit, or a gift card. Ask, “What is your return policy?” “How long do refunds take?” and “Will the refund go back to this card?” Keep your receipt and any tags/packaging to make the process smoother.

What security steps might staff ask for?

For card payments, you may need to enter a PIN or provide a signature. If your purchase is large or the card is new, staff might request ID: “May I see your ID?” You can reply, “Sure, here it is.” Protect your PIN by covering the keypad. If you lose your card, contact your bank immediately and monitor your statements for unfamiliar charges.

What are key phrases to practice for paying?

Try these ready-to-use lines:

• “Could I pay by card, please?” / “I’ll pay in cash.”
• “Do you accept credit or debit?” / “Is contactless okay?”
• “Is there a minimum for card payments?” / “Is there a surcharge?”
• “Could I have a receipt, please?” / “Email receipt is fine.”
• “Can we split the bill?” / “Separate checks, please.”
• “I’d like to add a 10% tip.” / “Is service included?”
• “Could you break a $50?” / “Do you have smaller bills?”
• “I’ll pay in local currency.” / “What is this fee for?”
• “My card didn’t go through—let me try another.”
• “The machine isn’t working? No problem, I’ll pay cash.”

Daily English Guide for Beginners: Speak with Confidence Every Day