Signification
Using a credit or debit card.
Contexte culturel
Estonia is a world leader in digital payments. It is common to see people paying for even the smallest items (like a single piece of fruit) with a card or phone. Similar to Estonia, Sweden and Norway are nearly cashless. 'Kaardiga maksma' is the default expectation. Unlike Estonia, Germany still has a strong 'Cash is King' (Bargeld ist König) culture. You should always check if 'kaardiga maksma' is possible. While changing, Japan remains a cash-heavy society for small transactions. 'Kaardiga maksma' is for department stores, not small ramen shops.
Tap is King
Most terminals in Estonia are contactless. You don't even need to say the whole phrase; just holding your card up and saying 'Kaardiga?' is enough.
Check for 'Ainult Sula'
In very small towns or at local markets, look for signs saying 'Ainult sularahas' (Only in cash) to avoid awkwardness.
Signification
Using a credit or debit card.
Tap is King
Most terminals in Estonia are contactless. You don't even need to say the whole phrase; just holding your card up and saying 'Kaardiga?' is enough.
Check for 'Ainult Sula'
In very small towns or at local markets, look for signs saying 'Ainult sularahas' (Only in cash) to avoid awkwardness.
The 'Piiks' Sound
Wait for the 'piiks' (beep) before pulling your card away. If it beeps twice, the transaction failed.
Teste-toi
Fill in the missing case ending.
Kas ma saan kaardi___ maksma?
The comitative case ending '-ga' is used to mean 'with'.
Choose the most natural way to say 'I pay by card'.
Kuidas sa maksad?
'Kaardiga' is the correct form for the instrument of payment.
Complete the dialogue at the restaurant.
Kelner: 'Kas soovite sularahas või kaardiga?' Klient: '________, palun.'
In a short response, the case must still be correct.
Match the phrase to the situation.
You are at a shop and see a sign: 'Ainult kaardimakse'. What does it mean?
'Ainult' means only, and 'kaardimakse' means card payment.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesKas ma saan kaardi___ maksma?
The comitative case ending '-ga' is used to mean 'with'.
Kuidas sa maksad?
'Kaardiga' is the correct form for the instrument of payment.
Kelner: 'Kas soovite sularahas või kaardiga?' Klient: '________, palun.'
In a short response, the case must still be correct.
You are at a shop and see a sign: 'Ainult kaardimakse'. What does it mean?
'Ainult' means only, and 'kaardimakse' means card payment.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsRarely. Only for very large amounts or if the card isn't signed and the terminal asks for it. Usually, a PIN or contactless tap is enough.
Yes, usually 50 euros. For amounts above that, you will need to insert your card and enter your PIN.
Yes! Even though you use a phone, the underlying technology is a card, so the phrase remains the same.
This means 'The terminal isn't working'. You will need to pay in cash or find another shop.
It is neutral. It is perfectly fine to use in any setting.
It is always 'kaardiga'. The '-ga' is the comitative case ending.
It's less common than Visa or Mastercard. Most places prefer the latter two.
Tipping is not mandatory, but if you want to, you can often add it to the card payment at restaurants.
'Maksma' is the 'ma-infinitive' (used after verbs of motion or 'must'), 'maksta' is the 'da-infinitive' (used after 'can', 'wish', etc.).
Extremely safe. Estonia has very high banking security standards.
Expressions liées
Sularahas maksma
contrastTo pay in cash
Arvega tasuma
similarTo pay by invoice
Viipemakse
specialized formContactless payment
Järelmaksuga ostma
builds onTo buy on installments
