¿Efectivo o tarjeta?
/efeɡˈtibo o taɾˈxeta/word by word
In Spanish, "cash or card" is translated as ¿Efectivo o tarjeta?
This phrase is a question used by sellers to determine how a customer intends to pay for a purchase.
How does it change in a sentence?
While the short form ¿Efectivo o tarjeta? is common, a more grammatically complete way to ask the question is by using the verb pagar (to pay), as in ¿Pagará con efectivo o con tarjeta? (Will you pay with cash or with card?).
How do you pronounce it?
/efeɡˈtibo o taɾˈxeta/
When do people say it?
A natural way to respond to this question is to use the preposition 'con' (with) followed by the payment method, such as Con tarjeta, por favor (With card, please).
Did you know?
- The word tarjeta shares a surprising history with the English word 'target'. It originally referred to a small shield or a marked piece of wood used for accounting.
- While efectivo is standard, in some Latin American countries, people might use the word plata to refer to money in general when discussing payment methods.
- If a seller asks ¿Efectivo o tarjeta?, you might see them hold up a handheld device called a datáfono to accept your card.
Examples in context
- ¿Efectivo o tarjeta?Cash or card?This sentence shows how to ask the question directly using ¿Efectivo o tarjeta?Tatoeba #13796354 by carlosalberto, translation #13796285 by frpzzd
- ¿Prefiere realizar el pago en efectivo o con tarjeta?Do you prefer to pay in cash or with a card?
- Hola, ¿efectivo o tarjeta?Hello, cash or card?
Example conversation
A customer is paying for a coffee at a cafe.
- LucíaAquí tienes tu café. ¿Efectivo o tarjeta?Here is your coffee. Cash or card?
- JavierVoy a pagar con tarjeta, por favor.I'll pay with card, please.
- LucíaPerfecto. Acerca tu tarjeta aquí.Perfect. Tap your card here.
- JavierListo. Muchas gracias, Lucía.Done. Thank you very much, Lucía.
Sources
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (efectivo, o, tarjeta) and can differ in connected speech.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries efectivo, o, tarjeta, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
