German Phrase
Bar, Karte und Handyzahlung.
Meaning
A short enumeration of the three most common ways to pay for goods or services in Germany: cash, card and payment via a smartphone. The phrase is often seen on price tags, menus or at checkout counters.
When to use
Use this phrase when you want to inform customers about the accepted payment methods, for example on a shop window, a restaurant menu, or when you’re explaining how you can settle a bill.
✦Grammar Breakdown
BarKarteundHandyzahlung
Bar
Used as an adverb meaning ‘in cash’. It can also function as a noun (die Bar) meaning ‘the bar’, but here it describes the payment method.
Karte
A feminine noun (die Karte) meaning ‘card’. In the context of payment it is short for ‘Kredit‑/Debitkarte’.
und
Coordinating conjunction that links items in a list; it does not affect case or gender.
Handyzahlung
A compound noun (Handy + Zahlung) meaning ‘mobile payment’. The first part (Handy) stays unchanged, the second part (Zahlung) is a feminine noun.
🗨In Conversation
Wie kann ich hier bezahlen?
How can I pay here?
Bar, Karte und Handyzahlung sind möglich.
Cash, card and mobile payment are possible.
✕Common Mistakes
Bar, Karte und Handy Zahlung.
‘Handy’ and ‘Zahlung’ must be written together as one compound noun: Handyzahlung.
Bar, Karten und Handyzahlung.
‘Karte’ is used as a singular noun here; adding an -n makes it plural and sounds unnatural in this list.
Barzahlung, Karte und Handyzahlung.
While ‘Barzahlung’ is correct, mixing the short form ‘Bar’ with the full form ‘Barzahlung’ in the same list sounds inconsistent.
↔Alternatives
Barzahlung, Kartenzahlung und Zahlung per Handy.
Cash payment, card payment and payment via mobile phone.
Zahlung mit Bargeld, Karte oder Smartphone.
Payment with cash, card or smartphone.
Bar, mit Karte oder per Handy.
Cash, with card or via mobile.
Cultural Tip
In Germany cash (Bar) is still widely used, especially for small amounts, but contactless card payments and mobile wallets (Apple Pay, Google Pay, etc.) have grown rapidly. When you see ‘Bar, Karte und Handyzahlung’, the business is signalling that it accepts all three, which is considered very customer‑friendly. Note that some older establishments may still prefer cash, so it’s polite to ask if you’re unsure.