ELONIO
Log inSign up

No, grazie, pago in contanti.

No, grazie, pago in contanti.
No, thanks, I pay in cash.
FromLesson 59inHardcore Italian

Breakdown of No, grazie, pago in contanti.

io
I
in
in
pagare
to pay
il contante
the cash
no
no
grazie
thanks

Questions & Answers about No, grazie, pago in contanti.

Why is there no io before pago?
Italian normally drops subject pronouns because the verb ending shows the person. Pago already means "I pay." You’d use Io pago only for emphasis or contrast (e.g., "I’ll pay, not him").
What tense is pago, and why not pagherò?
Pago is present indicative. In contexts like paying right now, Italian often uses the present to express an immediate intention, which corresponds to English "I’ll pay." Pagherò (future) is correct but tends to refer to a later moment or sound more neutral/formal; at a checkout, Pago in contanti is the most idiomatic.
Why is it in contanti and not con contanti or nei contanti?

In contanti is the fixed, idiomatic way to say "in cash." Contrast:

  • in contanti = cash
  • con la carta / col bancomat = by card Forms like con contanti, con i contanti, or nei contanti are non‑idiomatic; stick with in contanti.
What exactly does contanti mean, and why is it plural?
Contanti is a plural masculine noun meaning "cash" (banknotes and coins). It comes from contante ("ready, immediate") as in denaro contante ("ready money"). As a set phrase you say in contanti; you don’t use the singular after in.
Can I say in contante (singular) or in denaro contante?
  • in contante is not used.
  • in denaro contante is correct but formal/legalistic. In everyday speech, say in contanti.
Does pagare need a direct object? Why not pagare per like English "pay for"?

Italian pagare normally takes a direct object and you don’t use per to mean "pay for something":

  • Pago il conto/il caffè. = I pay the bill/the coffee.
  • Pago in contanti. = I pay in cash. (object is implied) Note:
  • Pagare per qualcuno ("to pay on behalf of someone") is fine: Pago per te.
  • Pagare per can also mean "to suffer the consequences": Pagherai per quello che hai fatto.
Is this sentence polite enough in a shop? Would Vorrei pagare in contanti be better?

No, grazie, pago in contanti is perfectly polite. To sound softer/more deferential you can say:

  • Vorrei pagare in contanti.
  • Preferisco pagare in contanti. All are appropriate with staff.
What about punctuation—do I need both commas around grazie?
Yes, in careful writing. No, grazie, pago in contanti. mirrors natural pauses and sets off the interjection grazie. You may see No grazie, pago in contanti informally, but the two‑comma version is preferred.
Do I need any accents on No or grazie?
No accents here. Note that the affirmative sì takes an accent: Sì, grazie, pago in contanti. The negative no never takes one.
How do I pronounce the whole sentence?

Approximate guide:

  • No = no
  • grazie = GRAH-tsyeh (stress on GRAH; final e pronounced; z = ts)
  • pago = PAH-go (hard g)
  • in contanti = een con-TAHN-tee (stress on TAN; the n in in often sounds like "ng" before c) Together: "No, GRAH-tsyeh, PAH-go een con-TAHN-tee."
Can I swap the order to Pago in contanti, grazie?
Yes. Pago in contanti, grazie is equally natural and common. The initial No, grazie fits best when you’re declining a suggestion (e.g., being offered to pay by card).
Could I just answer Contanti?
Yes. In reply to something like Card or cash?, a one‑word Contanti is common and perfectly idiomatic.
Is Lo pago in contanti correct?
Yes, if the object is clear in context (e.g., il conto "the bill"): Il conto? Lo pago in contanti. If there’s no clear antecedent, prefer Pago in contanti.
What should I say for paying by card or other methods?

Common options:

  • Pago con la carta. (generic card)
  • Pago col bancomat. (debit card; Italy-specific term)
  • Pago con la carta di credito. (credit card)
  • Posso pagare contactless? (common phrasing for contactless)
  • Pago con il telefono / con Apple Pay. (mobile wallet) Note: POS is the card terminal; you don’t say Pago col POS.
Is bancomat universal Italian?
In Italy, bancomat is widely used for a debit card/the domestic debit network. If you want a universally safe term, use carta; staff in Italy will certainly understand bancomat.
Any spelling quirks with pagare I should know?

To keep the hard g before i/e, add h:

Should I ever use per favore here instead of grazie?
Not for this purpose. No, grazie is the idiomatic polite refusal. No, per favore means "No, please (don’t)," which carries a different, more pleading tone.
AI Language TutorTry it ↗
“What's the best way to learn Italian grammar?”
Italian grammar becomes intuitive with practice. Focus on understanding the core patterns first — how sentences are structured, how verbs change form, and how words relate to each other. Our course breaks these concepts into small lessons so you can build understanding step by step.

Sign up free — start using our AI language tutor

Start learning Italian

Master Italian — from No, grazie, pago in contanti to fluency

All course content and exercises are completely free — no paywalls, no trial periods, no signup needed.

  • ✓Infinitely deep — unlimited vocabulary and grammar
  • ✓Fast-paced — build complex sentences from the start
  • ✓Unforgettable — efficient spaced repetition system
  • ✓ AI tutor to answer your grammar questions
Open the Italiancourse →