This workshop helps you speak Spanish at an ATM with confidence. You will practice asking whether a machine accepts foreign cards, saying you want to withdraw cash, asking about the fee, and requesting a receipt. Each key phrase comes from a short recording, and you will hear the English meaning before you try it yourself. You can play both roles in the sample exchanges: the customer and the person who answers. Work through the three tasks in order. The first task guides you through a full exchange, the second checks whether you understand a reply, and the third asks you to remember the phrases with the correct roles. Speak out loud each time, even when you are alone. If a phrase feels long, say it slowly first, then at a natural speed. You do not need to invent new sentences; use the recorded lines as your building blocks.
Asking About the Machine and the Fee
Start with a polite question about the machine. The line «¿Este cajero acepta tarjetas extranjeras?» means "Does this ATM accept foreign cards?" Use it when you are not sure whether your card will work. If you also want to know the cost before you continue, the line «¿Cuál es la comisión?» means "What is the fee?" Say it clearly and wait for the answer. In a longer exchange, you may hear a reply like «Sí, acepta tarjetas internacionales, pero hay una comisión.», which means "Yes, it accepts international cards, but there is a fee." Notice that the answer confirms the card and warns about the fee in one sentence. You can then ask a combined question. The line «¿Cuál es la comisión y cuánto puedo retirar?» means "What is the fee and how much can I withdraw?" This is useful when you want both pieces of information at once. Practice saying each line slowly, then again at a normal speed. Keep your voice calm and friendly.
Saying the Amount and Asking for a Receipt
When you are ready to take money out, use the line «Quiero retirar efectivo, por favor.», which means "I want to withdraw cash, please." This tells the person or the machine what you want to do. If you are speaking with a person at the bank, you can also ask for a receipt. The line «¿Me puede dar un recibo?» means "Can you give me a receipt?" Use it after the transaction or when you want to confirm that a receipt will be printed. In a full exchange, you may hear a reply like «La comisión es de tres dólares y puede retirar hasta quinientos.», which means "The fee is three dollars and you can withdraw up to five hundred." This kind of answer gives you two facts: the cost and the limit. Listen for the fee first, then the amount. After that, you can say the amount you want and ask for your receipt. Repeat the lines in pairs: question, then answer. This helps your mouth remember the rhythm.
Putting the Exchange Together
A real ATM conversation often moves in a simple order. First, you ask about the card, as in «Disculpe, ¿este cajero acepta tarjetas extranjeras?», which means "Excuse me, does this ATM accept foreign cards?" Then you listen to the reply. If the answer is like «Sí, acepta tarjetas internacionales, pero hay una comisión.», you know the card works but there is a fee. Next, you ask about the fee and the limit with «¿Cuál es la comisión y cuánto puedo retirar?». After you hear an answer like «La comisión es de tres dólares y puede retirar hasta quinientos.», you can say «Quiero retirar efectivo, por favor.» to state that you want to withdraw cash. Finally, if you need proof of the transaction, ask «¿Me puede dar un recibo?» for a receipt. Practice this order out loud: ask, listen, ask again, state your action, and request the receipt. You can play both roles by reading the customer lines and then the reply lines. This builds flexibility without requiring new vocabulary.
Listen once, then say the phrase yourself. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
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
Quiero retirar efectivo, por favor.
I want to withdraw cash, please.
KYEH-ro reh-tee-RAR ef-ek-TEE-vo por fa-VOR
¿Cuál es la comisión?
What is the fee?
kwal es la ko-mee-SYON
¿Me puede dar un recibo?
Can you give me a receipt?
me PWEH-de dar un re-SEE-bo
Read one side aloud, then answer in your own words. The goal is to make the exchange yours.
Disculpe, ¿este cajero acepta tarjetas extranjeras?
Excuse me, does this ATM accept foreign cards?Sí, acepta tarjetas internacionales, pero hay una comisión.
Yes, it accepts international cards, but there is a fee.¿Cuál es la comisión y cuánto puedo retirar?
What is the fee and how much can I withdraw?La comisión es de tres dólares y puede retirar hasta quinientos.
The fee is three dollars and you can withdraw up to five hundred.Your turn
Try each prompt out loud. Choose a guided start, the full sequence, or a challenge pass after your first attempt.
Guided Exchange at the ATM
Imagine you are at an ATM in a Spanish-speaking country. You want to know if your foreign card works and what the fee is. A staff member is nearby and can answer your questions.
Your task: Say the customer lines in order. Start with «Disculpe, ¿este cajero acepta tarjetas extranjeras?» to get attention and ask about the card. Then ask about the fee and the limit with «¿Cuál es la comisión y cuánto puedo retirar?». After that, say you want to withdraw cash using «Quiero retirar efectivo, por favor.». Finish by asking for a receipt with «¿Me puede dar un recibo?». Speak each line out loud before moving to the next one.
Understanding the Reply
You asked about the card and the fee. The staff member gives you a reply. You need to understand two pieces of information: whether the card works and what the fee is.
Your task: Listen to or read the reply «Sí, acepta tarjetas internacionales, pero hay una comisión.». Decide: does the machine accept the card, and is there a fee? Then listen to or read «La comisión es de tres dólares y puede retirar hasta quinientos.». Decide: what is the fee, and what is the maximum withdrawal amount? Say your answers out loud in English first. Then ask the fee question in Spanish using «¿Cuál es la comisión?» and repeat the reply lines.
Recall with Correct Roles
You are practicing alone. You will say both the customer lines and the staff lines from memory. This helps you remember who says what in a real exchange.
Your task: Say the customer question «¿Este cajero acepta tarjetas extranjeras?» out loud. Then say the staff reply «Sí, acepta tarjetas internacionales, pero hay una comisión.». Next, say the customer question «¿Cuál es la comisión y cuánto puedo retirar?». Then say the staff reply «La comisión es de tres dólares y puede retirar hasta quinientos.». Finally, say the customer request «Quiero retirar efectivo, por favor.» and the receipt question «¿Me puede dar un recibo?». Try to do this without reading the lines first.
Common questions
Do I need to memorize every line before I practice?
No. You can read the lines while you practice. The goal is to become comfortable saying them out loud. As you repeat the exercises, you will naturally remember more. Start with the shortest lines, like the fee question, and build up to the longer exchanges.
What if I make a mistake during the exchange?
Mistakes are a normal part of speaking practice. If you say a wrong word, pause, say the line again slowly, and continue. You can also replay the recording and repeat after it. The important thing is to keep speaking and to finish the exchange. Each repetition makes the phrases feel more natural.
Sources and further reading
- spanish: withdraw money from atmChecked September 2026
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