est-ce que vous prenez la carte bancaire ?
The English phrase 'do you take credit card' is translated into French as est-ce que vous prenez la carte bancaire ?
This question is used to ask a merchant if they accept credit cards as a form of payment. While you can use the term 'carte de crédit', French speakers more often refer to the payment method as la carte bancaire or simply la carte. In a retail context, la carte is the standard shorthand for la carte bancaire.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase est-ce que vous prenez la carte bancaire ? literally translates to 'is it that you take the bank card?'
Which one should you use?
Depending on the situation, you might use different variations. Acceptez-vous les cartes de crédit ? and Prenez-vous les cartes de crédit ? are formal ways to ask the question. For an informal setting, you can say On peut payer par carte ?, which means 'Can we pay by card?'
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Quebec, Canada, you may hear the phrases Acceptez-vous les cartes de crédit ? or Prenez-vous les cartes de crédit ?
What mistakes should you avoid?
While the term carte de crédit is understood, it is more common for French speakers to use carte bancaire or simply carte when referring to payment cards.
Did you know?
- In France, it is common to see a sign saying carte bleue to indicate credit cards are accepted. This refers to the specific blue color of the first interbank cards introduced in the 1980s.
- In some small French villages, merchants may refuse la carte for small amounts, often citing frais bancaires or bank fees. It is customary to ask if there is a minimum spend for card payments.
- The word carte in la carte bancaire is a cognate of the English word 'charter'. Both derive from the Latin charta and Ancient Greek khártēs, which originally referred to a papyrus leaf.
Examples in context
- Pardon, est-ce que vous prenez la carte bancaire ?Excuse me, do you take credit cards?
Example conversation
Léa is paying for a coffee at a small café.
- LéaEst-ce que vous prenez la carte bancaire ?Do you take credit cards?
- GabrielOui, bien sûr.Yes, of course.
- LéaParfait, merci beaucoup.Perfect, thank you very much.
- GabrielJe vous en prie.You're welcome.
