Paying in Brazil: Ask About Pix, Cards, and Cash in Portuguese
Learn how to ask which payment methods a shop accepts, confirm the amount, and respond clearly at a Brazilian checkout.
Real Life Portuguese · 7 min read · Updated October 14, 2026
The short answer
Brazilian businesses may accept Pix, debit or credit cards, and cash, but available methods vary by location and transaction. Ask first instead of assuming that a payment option will work. Pix is a Brazilian instant-payment method; whether a visitor can use it depends on their bank and account access.
Ask which payment methods the business accepts
Use aceita…? to ask whether a shop accepts a method. Cartão can mean a card; specify crédito or débito if the distinction matters. Dinheiro means cash. These questions are useful before the cashier has completed the transaction.
Vocês aceitam cartão?
Do you accept cards?
Posso pagar em dinheiro?
Can I pay in cash?
Aceita Pix?
Do you accept Pix?
Understand common card and installment words
Crédito is credit and débito is debit. À vista means paying the full amount at once, while parcelado means paying in installments. A business may have a minimum amount, installment rules, or a discount policy, so ask about the total before agreeing.
If the cashier asks Crédito ou débito?, answer with the method you intend to use. For an installment offer, ask how many payments and whether there is interest. Do not infer the final amount from one number if the terms are unclear.
Crédito ou débito? Débito, por favor.
Credit or debit? Debit, please.
Dá para parcelar em quantas vezes?
Into how many payments can I split it?
Esse é o valor total?
Is that the total amount?
Follow a Pix checkout without rushing
At some checkouts, a business displays a QR code or provides payment details. The exact flow depends on the merchant and your payment app. Confirm the amount and recipient in your own bank app before authorizing anything, then wait for the merchant to confirm the payment went through.
If you cannot use Pix, say so plainly and ask for another method. You do not need to explain your banking situation in detail. A simple question keeps the conversation moving and lets the business tell you the options it supports.
Você pode mostrar o QR code?
Could you show me the QR code?
Não consigo pagar por Pix. Aceita cartão?
I can’t pay by Pix. Do you accept cards?
O pagamento foi confirmado?
Was the payment confirmed?
Ask for a receipt and check the amount
Comprovante is proof of payment or a receipt, and nota fiscal is a tax receipt. Say Pode me dar o comprovante? to ask for proof of payment. Check that the total on the receipt matches the amount you agreed to pay.
The I Speak Portuguese source guide covers payment vocabulary from an episode. This adaptation is organized around the decisions you make at checkout: accepted method, total, and confirmation. Practice numbers with Real Life Portuguese; role-play paying for a purchase with a Brazilian teacher at I Speak Portuguese.
Pode me dar o comprovante, por favor?
Could you give me the receipt, please?
O total é trinta e oito reais?
Is the total thirty-eight reais? (example amount)
Obrigado. Tenha um bom dia!
Thank you. Have a good day! (speaker: man)
Put it into practice
Practice a checkout in three steps: ask what is accepted, confirm the total, and request a receipt. If you are traveling, bring a payment method you can actually use and learn the phrases for asking about alternatives.
Quick practice
Which Portuguese example matches “Is that the total amount”?
Choose an answer to check yourself.
This guide is an original Real Life Portuguese adaptation of an earlier article from I Speak Portuguese.
Keep practicing with the Real Life Portuguese app
Build on this guide with everyday expressions and native Brazilian audio. Choose iPhone, Android, or the web app.