The payment did not go through.
'Pagamento' — pa-ga-MEN-to. Four syllables.
Use when the card reader shows an error or declines. Stay calm — this can happen for many technical reasons unrelated to your account balance.
'Non è andato a buon fine' — 'did not go well / did not succeed' (passato prossimo of 'andare a buon fine'). This is the standard phrase used by card terminals and Italian shop staff for a failed transaction. The opposite: 'il pagamento è andato a buon fine' (payment successful).
La carta è stata rifiutata.
The card has been declined.
'Rifiutata' = declined/refused.
Posso riprovare?
Can I try again?
Asks to retry the transaction.
Il lettore funziona?
Is the reader working?
Checks if the terminal is the problem.
Card declines in Italy are sometimes caused by the bank's security system flagging foreign transactions as suspicious. If your card is declined, try calling your bank from abroad. Some Italian banks also decline non-chip transactions. Always carry some emergency cash.