payer en espèces
To pay in cash in French is payer en espèces.
The phrase payer en espèces is used to describe the action of paying for something using physical banknotes and coins rather than using a credit card or a check. When you want to refer to the physical money itself, you can use L'argent liquide. While argent generally means money, espèces is the specific term for the physical medium of cash used in a transaction.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase en espèces literally translates to 'in specie', which refers to physical money.
Which one should you use?
Payer en espèces is the direct opposite of payer par carte, which means to pay by card.
How does it change in a sentence?
In this context, the word espèces is almost always used in its plural form.
Did you know?
- The verb payer comes from the Latin pacāre, which means 'to pacify'. This suggests that paying a debt was historically seen as a way to bring peace or satisfy a claimant.
- The word espèces is a homonym that also means 'species' when talking about animals or plants.
- In France, there is a legal limit on how much you can payer en espèces for a single transaction, which is currently 1,000 euros for residents.
Examples in context
- Non. Je voudrais payer en espèces.No. I want to pay in cash.This sentence shows how to express a preference for using payer en espèces.Tatoeba #1169850 by sacredceltic, translation #456513 by lukaszpp
- Je vais payer en espèces.I'll pay in cash.This sentence demonstrates a simple statement of intent to use payer en espèces.Tatoeba #13183811 by atitarev, translation #13183799 by atitarev
- Je voudrais payer cette facture en espèces, s'il vous plaît.I would like to pay this bill in cash, please.
- Je peux payer en liquide?Can I pay in cash?
Example conversation
Emma is a cashier at a small bakery and Gabriel is a customer.
- GabrielBonjour, je voudrais ce croissant, s'il vous plaît.Hello, I would like this croissant, please.
- EmmaBien sûr. Ça fera deux euros.Of course. That will be two euros.
- GabrielJe peux payer en espèces ?Can I pay in cash?
- EmmaOui, aucun problème.Yes, no problem.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries en, payer, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
