German · Travel & Getting Around
"Cash" in German: Bargeld
das Bargeld
Cash in German is das Bargeld, a neuter noun. You also hear bar zahlen for paying cash, without using the noun every time.
At a bakery
Haben Sie Bargeld? Die Karte liest nicht.Speak with an AI partner · 7 days free
How to pronounce Bargeld
Say it
BAR-gelt
/ˈbaːɐ̯ɡɛlt/
BAR-gelt. Stress Bar-. Final d in Geld sounds like t.
"Cash" in German: quick reference
| German | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| das Bargeld | cash Physical money. | Physical money. |
| bar zahlen | to pay cash Verb phrase. | Verb phrase. |
| nur Barzahlung | cash only Shop sign. | Shop sign. |
| gegen Bargeld | for cash Formal/sales. | Formal/sales. |
How to use Bargeld in real life
- 1At a bakery
Haben Sie Bargeld? Die Karte liest nicht.
Do you have cash? The card isn't reading.
Bargeld is the noun shops ask for.
- 2Festival tip
Nimm genug Bargeld mit aufs Gelände.
Take enough cash onto the grounds.
Genug Bargeld = enough cash.
- 3Splitting costs
Ich habe nur wenig Bargeld dabei.
I only have a little cash on me.
Wenig Bargeld keeps Bargeld singular.
Mistakes English speakers make with Bargeld
Incorrect: das Cash
Correct: das Bargeld / bar
Prefer Bargeld or bar zahlen in German.
Incorrect: die Bargelder (everyday)
Correct: das Bargeld
Keep Bargeld singular in normal speech.
Good to know
Card acceptance grew fast, but many small cafés and markets still prefer Bargeld. Watch for Nur Barzahlung stickers.
Try it in a ChatPal conversation
Market checkout
ChatPal
Zahlt der Stand nur mit Bargeld?
Does the stall only take cash?
You
Ja, hier steht Nur Bargeld.
Yes, it says cash only here.
ChatPal
Okay, ich hole schnell Bargeld vom Automaten.
Okay, I'll quickly get cash from the machine.
You
Ich habe noch etwas Bargeld, falls es reicht.
I still have some cash, if that's enough.
This is a sample. In ChatPal you have this conversation out loud and get feedback on what you say.
Practice this conversation in ChatPal"Cash" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "Cash" in German
How do you say pay cash?
Bar zahlen.
What gender is Bargeld?
Neuter: das Bargeld.
What does Nur Barzahlung mean?
Cash only.
Is Cash used in German?
Sometimes in slang, but Bargeld is clearer.
Learn a word, then use it out loud
- Step 1: See it in context
- Step 2: Say it out loud
- Step 3: Get feedback
- Step 4: Use it in real scenarios
