Questions & Answers about Czy płaci pan gotówką?
Why is the verb płaci (he pays) used instead of płacisz (you pay)?
When speaking formally in Polish, you don't use the informal "you" form of the verb. Instead, you use the third-person form (like "he pays") along with the formal word for sir/Mr. (pan) or madam/Ms. (pani). Literally, this sentence asks, "Does the gentleman pay with cash?"
Why does the word for cash (gotówka) end in -ą here?
It is in the Instrumental case, which is used to express the tool or method used to do something (paying with cash). For feminine nouns that end in -a, like gotówka, the ending changes to -ą in this case.
How would I ask this same question to a woman?
Is the word order strict? Could I say Czy pan płaci gotówką?
Yes, you absolutely can! Polish word order is quite flexible. Both are correct, but putting the verb (płaci) right after the question word (czy) is a very common and natural way to ask questions in Polish.
How would I reply that I want to pay by card instead?