How to Say “Cash or card?” in Chinese
Shopping · HSK 3
"Cash or card?" in Chinese is 现金还是刷卡？ (xiàn jīn hái shì shuā kǎ). 现金还是刷卡 (xiànjīn háishi shuākǎ) is the classic cash-or-card question. In contemporary China the real split is 现金、刷卡还是手机支付 (cash, card or phone pay?).
Primary translation
现金还是刷卡？
xiàn jīn hái shì shuā kǎ
Traditional: 現金還是刷卡？
When to use it
现金还是刷卡 (xiànjīn háishi shuākǎ) is the classic cash-or-card question. In contemporary China the real split is 现金、刷卡还是手机支付 (cash, card or phone pay?). Phone payment via 支付宝 (Alipay) or 微信支付 (WeChat Pay) dominates; most small shops only accept phone. Foreign bank cards often fail at small vendors. Carry 现金 (cash) as backup. To declare your preference: 我付现金 (I will pay cash), 我刷卡 (I will use card), 我扫码 (I will scan QR).
Example sentences
你付现金还是刷卡？
Nǐ fù xiànjīn háishi shuākǎ?
Are you paying cash or by card?
我用微信付。
Wǒ yòng Wēixìn fù.
I will pay via WeChat.
我们只收现金。
Wǒmen zhǐ shōu xiànjīn.
We only accept cash.