I'll pay cash.
'Contanti' — con-TAN-ti. Four syllables.
State this at the till when you intend to pay cash. This avoids any confusion and allows the cashier to prepare the correct change.
'Pago' — first-person singular present of 'pagare' (to pay). 'In contanti' — in cash (fixed adverbial phrase). The opposite: 'pago con la carta' (I'll pay by card). In formal contexts: 'preferisco pagare in contanti' (I prefer to pay in cash).
Ho solo contanti.
I only have cash.
Explains why you are using cash.
Ho esattamente i soldi.
I have the exact amount.
Helpful to mention — speeds up the transaction.
Ha il resto per un biglietto da cento?
Do you have change for a hundred-euro note?
Important to check before handing over a large note.
Cash ('contante') is still widely used in Italy, particularly in markets, small restaurants, and family-run shops. Carrying some cash is advisable — not all venues accept cards, and ATM ('bancomat') machines are plentiful in Italian cities.