Le client paie en espèces.

The customer pays in cash.

Breakdown of Le client paie en espèces.

• payer: to pay
• en espèces: in cash
• le client: the customer

Questions & Answers about Le client paie en espèces.

What exactly does the phrase en espèces mean?

It means in cash (banknotes and coins), as opposed to paying by card, check, or bank transfer. The word espèces here is a set expression; it does not refer to “species” in this context.

Why is espèces plural and feminine? Can I say en espèce?

The fixed expression is en espèces (feminine plural). Historically it referred to “specific kinds of money,” and it stays plural today. You don’t say en espèce in this meaning.

Are there common synonyms for en espèces? Any register differences?

Yes:

• en liquide: very common and informal-neutral (France)
• en cash: informal, anglicism, widely understood
• au comptant / payer comptant: “pay outright/at once”; not necessarily cash (could be by card), just not in installments
• Canadian French: en argent comptant, payer comptant are very common

Why is it paie and not paye? Are both correct?