How to pay and ask for a receipt in English
Do you take card?
“Can I pay with a card?”
When: At the register, before you pay
The moment
You are at the register of a small shop in Brooklyn with a hoodie in your hands. You want to pay by card, understand the total, and leave with a receipt.
A1 · Unit 5 · Shopping
The lines
Checking they take card
Ask 'Do you take card?' before you pay. Almost every store says yes. A few small shops are 'cash only', so it is good to check.
Do you take card?
“Can I pay with a card?”
When to use it: At the register, before you pay
What you’ll hear back: Yep, go ahead and tap whenever you're ready. (Yes, touch your card on the machine.)
Asking for a receipt
Say 'Can I get a receipt?' to ask for the paper that shows what you paid. Keep it. You need it to return or exchange something.
Can I get a receipt?
“Can you give me a receipt?”
When to use it: Right after you pay, before you leave
What you’ll hear back: Sure. Do you want it printed or emailed? (Do you want paper or an email?)
Words for this scene
| Word or phrase | Say it | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| I'll pay cash. | ail PAY KASH | I will give you money, not a card. |
It's only six dollars. I'll pay cash. It costs only six dollars. I will use money, not a card. Tip: Shops rarely like a hundred-dollar bill. Carry twenties. | ||
| Your total is $42.50. | yer TOH-dul iz FOR-dee-too FIF-dee | You need to pay forty-two dollars and fifty cents. |
With tax, your total is $42.50. With the tax added, you pay forty-two dollars and fifty cents. Tip: Price tags don't include sales tax. The total is always higher. | ||
| You can just tap your card. | yuh-kin JUST TAP yer KARD | Touch your card on the machine to pay. |
You can just tap your card right here. Touch your card on this machine to pay. Tip: The screen may ask about a tip. In stores, 'No tip' is fine. | ||
Your objective
Ask if they take cards, check the total, and ask for a receipt.
- paying by card
- the total
- a receipt
Lines that get it done
- Do you take card?
- Can I get a receipt?
In the live scene the objective stays on screen, and the Replay afterwards says whether you got it done.
Check yourself
1. You want to know if the shop accepts credit cards. What do you ask?
- Do you take card?
- Do you want my card?
- Can you take my card home?
- Is card here?
Show the answer
Do you take card?
'Do you take card?' asks if you can pay with a card here.
2. The cashier says 'That comes to forty-two fifty.' What does she mean?
- You need to pay $42.50.
- You need to pay $4,250.
- The store closes at 4:50.
- You get $42.50 back.
Show the answer
You need to pay $42.50.
Americans often skip 'dollars' and 'cents': 'forty-two fifty' is $42.50.
3. You paid, and you want the paper that shows what you bought. What do you say?
- Can I get a receipt?
- Can I get a recipe?
- Can I get a bill of it?
- Can I get a ticket?
Show the answer
Can I get a receipt?
In the US the paper is a 'receipt'. The 'p' is silent: ri-SEET.