بقبل كريدت؟
Do you accept credit?
Littéralement: Does it accept credit?
Use this phrase to confirm card payments before ordering to avoid awkward cash-only situations.
En 15 secondes
- Used to ask if a shop or restaurant accepts credit cards.
- Combines the Arabic verb for 'accept' with the English word 'credit'.
- Essential for modern city travel and avoiding cash-only surprises.
Signification
This is the most common way to ask if a business or person accepts credit cards for payment. It’s a modern, essential phrase for navigating city life without carrying a pocket full of cash.
Exemples clés
3 sur 6At a trendy cafe before ordering
مرحبا، بقبل كريدت؟
Hi, do you accept credit?
At a clothing store with a pile of items
لو سمحت، بقبل كريدت هون؟
Excuse me, do you accept credit here?
Asking a taxi driver before a long trip
يا معلم، بقبل كريدت ولا بس كاش؟
Hey boss, do you accept credit or only cash?
Contexte culturel
While digital payments are growing rapidly in Arab urban centers, 'cash is king' still applies in rural areas and small traditional shops. The use of the English word 'credit' reflects the globalized nature of banking and tech in the region. Interestingly, asking this question can sometimes lead to a small discount if you offer to pay cash instead, as merchants prefer to avoid transaction fees.
The 'Broken Machine' Mystery
If they say the machine is broken, it might just mean they want cash to avoid fees. If you really have no cash, try saying 'I only have a card' and suddenly the machine might 'fix' itself!
Minimum Spend
Some small shops have a minimum (like 5 or 10 JOD/USD) to use a card. Always check if you're just buying a pack of gum.
En 15 secondes
- Used to ask if a shop or restaurant accepts credit cards.
- Combines the Arabic verb for 'accept' with the English word 'credit'.
- Essential for modern city travel and avoiding cash-only surprises.
What It Means
This phrase is your ultimate safety net when shopping or dining out. It uses the verb بقبل (bi'bal), which means 'he/it accepts,' followed by the English loanword كريدت (credit). While there are more formal ways to say 'credit card' in Arabic, almost everyone in the Levant and many other regions uses this shorthand. It’s direct, clear, and gets the job done instantly. You’re basically asking, "Is your machine working and are you okay with me not using paper money?"
How To Use It
You don't need fancy grammar here. Just say the phrase with a rising intonation at the end to turn it into a question. If you want to be extra polite, you can add لو سمحت (law samaht) which means 'if you please' at the beginning or end. You can also point to your wallet or a credit card while saying it. It’s perfectly fine to use this before you even sit down at a restaurant to avoid that awkward 'I have no cash' moment later.
When To Use It
Use this at any modern establishment. Think shopping malls, mid-to-high-end restaurants, hotels, or large grocery stores. It’s also very useful when you’re taking a long taxi ride and want to know if the driver has a digital payment app or a portable machine. If you see a small sticker with a Visa or Mastercard logo on the door, you can still ask this just to be 100% sure the system isn't 'down' today.
When NOT To Use It
Don't use this at a small street stall selling corn on the cob or at a traditional open-air souk (market). In those places, cash is still the undisputed king. Also, avoid using it for very small amounts, like buying a single bottle of water. Some shops have a 'minimum' for cards, so asking for a tiny purchase might get you a polite shake of the head. And definitely don't use it in a very formal government setting where specific official terms for 'electronic payment' are preferred.
Cultural Background
For a long time, the Middle East was a strictly cash-based society. People didn't trust banks much, and merchants hated the fees. But in the last decade, things have shifted fast! In cities like Amman, Beirut, or Dubai, carrying cash is becoming optional. However, there’s still a cultural quirk: sometimes a merchant might say 'the machine is broken' if they just don't want to pay the bank fee that day. It’s a classic 'it’s not you, it’s the technology' excuse!
Common Variations
You might hear بتاخدوا كرت؟ (btakhdu kart?) which means 'Do you take a card?'. Another common one is في دفع بالبطاقة؟ (fi dafa' bil-bitaqa?) which is slightly more formal and means 'Is there payment by card?'. In some places, they might just say في فيزا؟ (fi Visa?) using 'Visa' as a generic term for all cards. No matter which one you use, they’ll know exactly what you need.
Notes d'usage
This phrase is neutral and safe for 99% of daily interactions. It uses the Levantine dialect form of the verb. If you are in a very formal setting, you might use 'هل تقبلون' (hal taqbalun), but for travel and daily life, 'bi'bal' is perfect.
The 'Broken Machine' Mystery
If they say the machine is broken, it might just mean they want cash to avoid fees. If you really have no cash, try saying 'I only have a card' and suddenly the machine might 'fix' itself!
Minimum Spend
Some small shops have a minimum (like 5 or 10 JOD/USD) to use a card. Always check if you're just buying a pack of gum.
The Word 'Credit'
Even though it's an English word, pronounce it with a slight Arabic accent (krid-et) to sound more natural to local ears.
Exemples
6مرحبا، بقبل كريدت؟
Hi, do you accept credit?
A quick check before you get comfortable.
لو سمحت، بقبل كريدت هون؟
Excuse me, do you accept credit here?
Adding 'here' (hon) makes it more specific to the shop.
يا معلم، بقبل كريدت ولا بس كاش؟
Hey boss, do you accept credit or only cash?
Using 'ya m'allem' (boss/teacher) is a common friendly way to address drivers.
عفواً، بقبل المحل كريدت؟
Excuse me, does the establishment accept credit?
Adding 'al-mahal' (the place/shop) adds a touch of formality.
بقبل كريدت؟ بدي أمر اشتري غراض.
Do you accept credit? I want to come by and buy some things.
Short and efficient for messaging.
يا الله! نسيت الكاش، بقبل كريدت؟
Oh my God! I forgot the cash, do you accept credit?
Expressing a bit of mild panic/humor about forgetting cash.
Teste-toi
Complete the question to ask if they take credit.
لو سمحت، ___ كريدت؟
`بقبل` means 'it accepts', which is the verb needed for this phrase.
How do you ask if they take credit or cash?
بقبل كريدت ولا بس ___؟
`كاش` is the Arabic way of saying 'cash', creating the 'credit or cash' contrast.
🎉 Score : /2
Aides visuelles
Formality of Payment Inquiries
Just saying 'Credit?' with a shrug.
كريدت؟
The standard way to ask anywhere.
بقبل كريدت؟
Using full terms for credit cards.
هل تقبلون الدفع بالبطاقة الائتمانية؟
Where to use 'بقبل كريدت؟'
Modern Mall
Checking at a boutique.
Coffee Shop
Before ordering a latte.
Airport Taxi
Confirming with the driver.
Pharmacy
Paying for medicine.
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsYes, in almost all urban areas of the Middle East, the word كريدت is universally understood for credit cards.
Absolutely. People use كريدت as a catch-all term for any plastic card payment, whether it's debit or credit.
They will likely say بس كاش (bas cash), meaning 'only cash'. You'll need to find an ATM or صراف آلي (sarraf ali).
Not at all! It's a very practical and common question that merchants hear dozens of times a day.
You can say بقبل فيزا؟ (bi'bal Visa?). People often use 'Visa' to mean any credit card.
Yes, بطاقة ائتمان (bitaqat i'timan) is the formal term, but you'll rarely hear it in a casual shop.
Both! You can ask the waiter before ordering or the cashier when you are ready to pay.
It comes from the root ق-ب-ل (q-b-l) which relates to accepting or receiving. The ب at the start makes it present tense in dialect.
It's safer to ask before you order if you don't have any backup cash on you.
In Egypt, they might say بتقبلوا فيزا؟ (bit'balu Visa?) or في مكنة؟ (fi makana? - is there a machine?), but بقبل كريدت will still be understood.
Expressions liées
بس كاش؟
في ماكينة؟
الحساب لو سمحت
وين الصراف؟
Commentaires (0)
Connectez-vous pour CommenterCommencez à apprendre les langues gratuitement
Commence Gratuitement