How to Use an ATM in Spanish: Withdraw Cash and Ask About Fees
Learn Latin American Spanish phrases to use an ATM, ask whether it accepts foreign cards, understand common screen prompts, and ask about withdrawal fees.
By SofiaGetting around · Yapr Learn
Using an ATM in Spanish is mostly about recognizing a small set of words on the screen and knowing a few polite questions. This lesson focuses only on cash withdrawal: inserting your card, asking if the machine accepts foreign cards, choosing an amount, and checking fees. You will practice the key question "¿Este cajero acepta tarjetas extranjeras?" and learn to recognize prompts such as "Ingrese su tarjeta" and "Seleccione el monto". The Spanish here is broadly useful Latin American Spanish; regional differences are labeled where they matter.
By the end, you can…
- ask whether an ATM accepts foreign cards.
- recognize common ATM prompts for cash withdrawal.
- ask about withdrawal fees before completing a transaction.
- say the amount I want to withdraw and ask for a receipt.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
¿Este cajero acepta tarjetas extranjeras?
Does this ATM accept foreign cards?
es-te ka-HEH-ro ak-SEP-ta tar-HEH-tas eks-tran-HEH-ras
Use cajero in most of Latin America; in Spain, cajero automático is common, and in some countries people say cajero electrónico.
Quiero retirar efectivo, por favor.
I want to withdraw cash, please.
KYEH-ro reh-tee-RAR ef-ek-TEE-vo por fa-VOR
Retirar is the standard verb for withdrawing money. In some regions, sacar dinero is also common.
¿Cuál es la comisión?
What is the fee?
kwal es la ko-mee-SYON
Comisión means the bank fee or surcharge. You may also hear cargo por servicio.
¿Me puede dar un recibo?
Can you give me a receipt?
me PWEH-de dar un re-SEE-bo
Use this with a person at the bank. At the ATM, the screen may ask: ¿Desea recibo?
Ingrese su tarjeta y su clave.
Insert your card and your PIN.
een-GREH-se su tar-HEH-ta ee su KLA-ve
Clave is the common word for PIN in many Latin American countries; in Spain, clave or PIN are both used.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
To ask whether an ATM or bank accepts something, use "¿Acepta...?" followed by the thing. Examples: "¿Acepta tarjetas extranjeras?" (Does it accept foreign cards?), "¿Acepta dólares?" (Does it accept dollars?), "¿Acepta esta tarjeta?" (Does it accept this card?). To ask about a fee, use "¿Cuál es la comisión?" or "¿Hay comisión?" (Is there a fee?). To state what you want, use "Quiero retirar..." plus the amount: "Quiero retirar mil pesos" (I want to withdraw a thousand pesos).
When to use it
Use these phrases before you commit to the transaction. If you are unsure about foreign cards, ask "¿Este cajero acepta tarjetas extranjeras?" before inserting your card. If the screen shows a fee, you can ask a nearby teller "¿Cuál es la comisión?" or "¿Hay algún cargo?" (Is there any charge?). When the machine asks "Seleccione el monto", choose an amount or press "Otro monto" (Other amount). If you need proof for your records, answer "Sí" to "¿Desea recibo?" or ask a person "¿Me puede dar un recibo?".
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
Disculpe, ¿este cajero acepta tarjetas extranjeras?
Excuse me, does this ATM accept foreign cards?dees-KUL-pe es-te ka-HEH-ro ak-SEP-ta tar-HEH-tas eks-tran-HEH-rasSí, acepta tarjetas internacionales, pero hay una comisión.
Yes, it accepts international cards, but there is a fee.see ak-SEP-ta tar-HEH-tas een-ter-na-syo-NA-les PEH-ro ay oo-na ko-mee-SYON¿Cuál es la comisión y cuánto puedo retirar?
What is the fee and how much can I withdraw?kwal es la ko-mee-SYON ee KWAN-to PWEH-do reh-tee-RARLa comisión es de tres dólares y puede retirar hasta quinientos.
The fee is three dollars and you can withdraw up to five hundred.la ko-mee-SYON es de tres DOH-la-res ee PWEH-de reh-tee-RAR AS-ta kee-NYEN-tosA little context goes a long way
ATM vocabulary varies by country. Cajero is widely understood in Latin America, while Spain often uses cajero automático. Clave for PIN is common in countries such as Mexico, Colombia, and Peru, but some regions say PIN or clave personal. Fees may be called comisión, cargo, or recargo. When speaking to staff, a brief "Disculpe" or "Buenos días" before your question is polite and normal.
One thing to watch for
Using "¿Acepta este cajero tarjetas extranjeras?" with the wrong intonation, so it sounds like a yes/no question about the ATM itself rather than about the cards.
Try this instead: Keep the subject and verb clear: "¿Este cajero acepta tarjetas extranjeras?" is correct. You can also ask "¿Aceptan tarjetas extranjeras?" using the plural verb to mean "Do you/they accept foreign cards?" Both are valid; the first is more specific to the machine.
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1How do you ask whether this ATM accepts foreign cards?
Show a sample answer
¿Este cajero acepta tarjetas extranjeras?
This uses cajero for ATM, acepta for accepts, and tarjetas extranjeras for foreign cards. In Spain you might say cajero automático, and in some countries cajero electrónico is also used.
2The screen says "Ingrese su tarjeta". What should you do?
Show a sample answer
Insert your card.
Ingrese comes from ingresar, meaning to insert or enter. The prompt is asking you to put your card into the machine.
3How do you ask what the fee is?
Show a sample answer
¿Cuál es la comisión?
This is the standard way to ask about a bank fee. You may also hear or use cargo or recargo in some regions, but comisión is widely understood.
Before withdrawing cash, ask "¿Este cajero acepta tarjetas extranjeras?" and "¿Cuál es la comisión?" Then follow the screen prompts: ingrese su tarjeta, marque su clave, seleccione el monto, and decide whether you want a recibo.
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