¿aceptan tarjetas de crédito?
In Spanish, the phrase for "do you take credit cards?" is ¿aceptan tarjetas de crédito?
This phrase is used to ask a merchant if they accept payment by credit card. In many contexts, you can simply say tarjeta (card) to imply a credit or debit card. In colloquial settings, you might hear the word plásticos used to refer to credit cards.
Which one should you use?
While ¿aceptan tarjetas de crédito? is the standard way to ask the question, a common alternative is to ask ¿puedo pagar con tarjeta?, which means "can I pay with card?"
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Mexico and some Central American countries, you can replace tarjeta de crédito with tarjeta bancaria or simply tarjeta.
How does it change in a sentence?
The conjugation of the verb determines who you are addressing: use the singular third-person form acepta to address a single shopkeeper politely, and use the plural form aceptan when addressing a business or a group of employees.
Did you know?
- The word crédito shares the same ancient roots as the word 'heart', because to give someone 'credit' was originally seen as a matter of trusting someone's 'heart' or character.
- In some regions, people use the expression pasar la tarjeta to describe the physical action of paying. It translates literally to 'to pass the card', referring to swiping or inserting it into a machine.
- In many places, a sign reading Solo efectivo is a common sight. This warns customers that the answer to ¿aceptan tarjetas de crédito? will be a definitive 'no' because the shop only takes cash.
Examples in context
- Buenas tardes, ¿acepta tarjetas de crédito?Good afternoon, do you take credit cards?
- Disculpe, ¿es posible realizar pagos con tarjeta de crédito?Excuse me, is it possible to pay with a credit card?
- Hola, ¿aceptas tarjetas de crédito?Hi, do you take credit cards?
- Oye, ¿se puede pagar con tarjeta de crédito aquí?Hey, can I pay with a credit card here?
- Hola, ¿se puede pagar con tarjeta bancaria?Hello, can I pay with a bank card?
- Antes de comprar, ¿aceptan tarjetas de crédito?Before buying, do you take credit cards?
Example conversation
Lucía is buying a souvenir at a small shop.
- LucíaHola, ¿aceptan tarjetas de crédito?Hello, do you take credit cards?
- AlejandroSí, aceptamos todas las tarjetas.Yes, we accept all cards.
- LucíaPerfecto, me llevo este cuadro.Perfect, I'll take this painting.
- AlejandroMuy bien, pase por aquí, por favor.Very well, come this way, please.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries crédito, de, CC BY-SA 4.0.
