La cliente paie par carte.

to pay

Breakdown of La cliente paie par carte.

• par carte: by card
• la cliente: the customer

Questions & Answers about La cliente paie par carte.

Why is it la and not une?

La is the definite article (the), so it refers to a specific customer already known in context. Une cliente would mean a/one customer (indefinite). For a general habit, you’d usually switch to the plural: Les clients paient souvent par carte.

Why cliente and not client?

Cliente is the feminine form of the noun (a female customer). Client is the masculine form. In mixed or generic plural, French typically uses clients.

How do you pronounce the sentence?

IPA: [la kli.jɑ̃t pɛ paʁ kaʁt]
Notes:

• In cliente, the final t is pronounced because of the feminine ending: [kli.jɑ̃t].
• paie is pronounced like an open “eh”: [pɛ].
• French r in par and carte is the uvular [ʁ].

Can I say the same sentence with a male subject?

Yes: Le client paie par carte.

What’s the difference between paie and paye?