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German Phrase

Hast du deine EC‑Karte dabei?

/has(t) du ˈdaɪ̯nə ˈeːt͡se ˈkaʁtə daˈbaɪ̯/
Meaning"Do you have your EC card with you?"
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Meaning

The speaker asks whether the listener has their EC‑Karte (the German debit card) on them at that moment. It’s a practical question often asked before a purchase or when a payment method is needed.

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When to use

Use this phrase when you’re about to pay for something in a shop, restaurant, or at a ticket machine and need to know if the other person can use their EC‑Karte. It’s also common among friends planning a trip or sharing expenses.

✦Grammar Breakdown

HastdudeineEC‑Kartedabei?

1

Verb‑First Question

In German yes/no questions, the finite verb moves to the first position, followed by the subject.

2

Possessive Adjective

‘deine’ agrees with the feminine noun ‘Karte’ in gender, number, and case (accusative).

3

EC‑Karte (Girocard)

A common German debit card; the noun is feminine (die EC‑Karte).

4

Adverb ‘dabei’

‘dabei’ means ‘with you/along’ and is used after the object to ask if it is present.

🗨In Conversation

A

Hast du deine EC‑Karte dabei?

Do you have your EC card with you?

Ja, ich habe sie dabei. Wir können gleich bezahlen.

Yes, I have it with me. We can pay right away.

B

✕Common Mistakes

  • Haben Sie deine EC‑Karte dabei?

    Mixes formal ‘Sie’ with informal ‘deine’; use either formal ‘Ihre’ or informal ‘deine’.

  • Hast du dein EC‑Karte dabei?

    The possessive adjective must match the feminine noun: ‘deine’, not ‘dein’.

  • Hast du deine EC‑Karte bei dir?

    ‘bei dir’ is a location phrase; the idiomatic way to ask if something is on someone’s person is ‘dabei’.

↔Alternatives

  • Hast du deine Bankkarte dabei?

    Do you have your bank card with you?

  • Hast du deine Girocard dabei?

    Do you have your Girocard with you?

  • Hast du deine Karte dabei?

    Do you have your card with you?

de

Cultural Tip

The EC‑Karte is now officially called the Girocard, but many Germans still use the older term. It works like a debit card linked directly to your checking account and is accepted at most POS terminals in Germany. Credit cards are less common, and cash is still king in many small shops, so always having your EC‑Karte (or enough cash) is good practice.