A comprehensive guide to English vocabulary related to payment methods and pricing, including common terms used in shopping, transactions, and money management.
Understanding payment and price vocabulary is essential for everyday transactions, shopping, and managing money. This guide covers common English terms for different payment methods, pricing concepts, and related shopping vocabulary.
Payment Methods
These are common ways people pay for goods and services, from cash to digital options.
| English Singular/Plural | English Singular/Plural | English Example | English Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| cash / - | cash / - | I paid for the coffee with cash. | I paid for the coffee with cash. |
| credit card / credit cards | credit card / credit cards | She used a credit card to buy the shoes. | She used a credit card to buy the shoes. |
| debit card / debit cards | debit card / debit cards | He withdrew money using his debit card. | He withdrew money using his debit card. |
| check / checks | check / checks | I wrote a check for the rent. | I wrote a check for the rent. |
| mobile payment / mobile payments | mobile payment / mobile payments | Mobile payments are very convenient. | Mobile payments are very convenient. |
| online payment / online payments | online payment / online payments | I completed the purchase with an online payment. | I completed the purchase with an online payment. |
| bank transfer / bank transfers | bank transfer / bank transfers | The salary was sent via bank transfer. | The salary was sent via bank transfer. |
| e-wallet / e-wallets | e-wallet / e-wallets | I added money to my e-wallet. | I added money to my e-wallet. |
| contactless payment / contactless payments | contactless payment / contactless payments | Many people use contactless payments for small buys. | Many people use contactless payments for small buys. |
| money order / money orders | money order / money orders | She sent the payment by money order. | She sent the payment by money order. |
Ella pagó usando una tarjeta ___.
She paid using a ___ card.
credit
'Credit card' is the correct answer because the sentence specifies the type of card used. Debit card, cash, and check are different payment methods.
Pricing Terms
These words help describe how much things cost and how prices are set or changed.
| English Singular/Plural | English Singular/Plural | English Example | English Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| price / prices | price / prices | What is the price of this jacket? | What is the price of this jacket? |
| cost / costs | cost / costs | The cost of shipping is $5. | The cost of shipping is $5. |
| discount / discounts | discount / discounts | They offered a 20% discount on shoes. | They offered a 20% discount on shoes. |
| sale / sales | sale / sales | The store has a big sale this weekend. | The store has a big sale this weekend. |
| bargain / bargains | bargain / bargains | I found a great bargain on a laptop. | I found a great bargain on a laptop. |
| tax / taxes | tax / taxes | The price includes tax. | The price includes tax. |
| fee / fees | fee / fees | There is a fee for late payments. | There is a fee for late payments. |
| change / - | change / - | I got $5 in change after buying the book. | I got $5 in change after buying the book. |
| total / totals | total / totals | The total is $45. | The total is $45. |
| receipt / receipts | receipt / receipts | Keep the receipt in case you want to return the item. | Keep the receipt in case you want to return the item. |
Transaction Vocabulary
These words describe actions and items involved when completing a payment or purchase.
| English Singular/Plural | English Singular/Plural | English Example | English Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| transaction / transactions | transaction / transactions | The transaction was approved. | The transaction was approved. |
| purchase / purchases | purchase / purchases | She made a purchase online. | She made a purchase online. |
| refund / refunds | refund / refunds | I asked for a refund because the item was damaged. | I asked for a refund because the item was damaged. |
| receipt / receipts | receipt / receipts | Please keep your receipt. | Please keep your receipt. |
| invoice / invoices | invoice / invoices | The company sent an invoice for the services. | The company sent an invoice for the services. |
| order / orders | order / orders | I placed an order for a new phone. | I placed an order for a new phone. |
| exchange / exchanges | exchange / exchanges | Can I make an exchange for a different size? | Can I make an exchange for a different size? |
| tip / tips | tip / tips | We left a 15% tip at the restaurant. | We left a 15% tip at the restaurant. |
| balance / balances | balance / balances | Check your account balance before paying. | Check your account balance before paying. |
| confirmation / confirmations | confirmation / confirmations | I received a confirmation email for my order. | I received a confirmation email for my order. |
Common Phrases
These phrases are often used during shopping, asking about prices, and making payments.
| English Singular/Plural | English Singular/Plural | English Example | English Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| How much? / - | How much? / - | How much does this cost? | How much does this cost? |
| Can I pay...? / - | Can I pay...? / - | Can I pay with a credit card? | Can I pay with a credit card? |
| Do you accept...? / - | Do you accept...? / - | Do you accept cash or card? | Do you accept cash or card? |
| I would like... / - | I would like... / - | I would like to buy this. | I would like to buy this. |
| Can I have a receipt? / - | Can I have a receipt? / - | Can I have a receipt, please? | Can I have a receipt, please? |
| Is there a discount? / - | Is there a discount? / - | Is there a discount on this item? | Is there a discount on this item? |
| I need change. / - | I need change. / - | I need change for a $20 bill. | I need change for a $20 bill. |
| That’s too expensive. / - | That’s too expensive. / - | That’s too expensive for me. | That’s too expensive for me. |
| Can I return this? / - | Can I return this? / - | Can I return this if it doesn’t fit? | Can I return this if it doesn’t fit? |
| Payment complete. / - | Payment complete. / - | Payment complete. Thank you! | Payment complete. Thank you! |
¿___ cuesta esto?
___ does this cost?
How much
'How much' is used to ask about price or quantity for uncountable items. 'How many' is for countable items, and 'What time' and 'How long' ask about time.
Summary
These vocabulary lists and phrases cover the essentials of talking about payments and prices in English, from naming different methods to handling transactions and asking questions.
- Payment Methods: cash, credit card, debit card, mobile payment, and more.
- Pricing Terms: price, cost, discount, sale, tax, and fees.
- Transaction Vocabulary: purchase, refund, receipt, order, refund, and tip.
- Common Phrases: How much? Can I pay...? Do you accept...? Can I return...?
Flashcards (1 of 40)
- English Singular/Plural: cash / -
- English Example: I paid for the coffee with cash.
Last updated: Thu Jun 12, 2025
