Eng 
日本語 
Cash or Card?
First of all, visitors are often surprised at how Japan still remains to be a paper-money based society. Instead of using credits cards, many Japanese continue to carry large amounts of cash with them. However, credit cards are now growing in popularity as more and more stores and restaurants now accept credit cards.
Asking for Permission (to use Card)
Therefore, here’s a simple phrase to help you ask for permission in Japanese.
カードでいいですか。
Kādode īdesu ka.
Can I pay by credit card?
- カード (kādo): credit card. クレジットカード (kurejittokādo) is also used but the word カード alone is enough.
- で (de): Japanese particle, indicates a mean.
Consequently, the phrase でいいですか (de īdesu ka) typically follows a noun. This, in turn, translates to “can I do something with/by (noun)” or “is (noun) okay?”. For that, it can also imply making a choice. For example, it can be making a choice of method of payment by either cash or by credit card.
ジョン: すみません。カードでいいですか。
店員：はい、だいじょうぶですよ。
John: Sumimasen. Kādode īdesu ka.
Ten’in: Hai, daijōbudesu yo.
John: Excuse me. Can I pay by credit card?
Clerk: Yes, that’s okay.
What if it’s not accepted?
If the store doesn’t accept credit card payment, the clerk would say:
ジョン：すみません、カードでいいですか。
店員：申し訳ありません、ちょっと・・・
John: Sumimasen, kādode īdesu ka.
Ten’in: Mōshiwakearimasen, chotto…
John: Excuse me, can I pay by credit card?
Clerk: I’m terribly sorry but…
Japanese people tend to avoid giving a direct “no” as an answer. Instead, they would use words like “ちょっと” (“chotto“) to indicate that it’s difficult for them to meet John’s request.
Here are some more examples:
店員：９８０円です。
ジョン：すみません、一万円札でいいですか。
Ten’in: 980-Endesu.
John: Sumimasen, ichiman’ensatsude īdesu ka.
Clerk: 980 yen.
John: Excuse me, can I use a ten-thousand yen note?
店員：こちらに記入してください。
ジョン：すみません、ローマ字でいいですか。
Ten’in: Kochira ni kinyū shite kudasai.
John: Sumimasen, rōma jide īdesu ka.
Clerk: Please fill out the form here.
John: Excuse me, are roman letters okay?
ジョン：すみません、予約なしでいいですか。
John: Excuse me, is it okay to enter without a reservation?
Vocabulary
- 一万円札: Ten-thousand yen note
- 記入する: to fill out a form
- ローマ字: roman letters
- 予約なし: without a reservation
Want to find out how to pay in Japanese? Check out this page here!
