Bedeutung
To request the check at a restaurant.
Kultureller Hintergrund
Waiters will almost never bring the bill unless you ask. It's considered rude to make customers feel rushed. You might have to wait a long time if you don't speak up! It is common to use the 'air-writing' gesture (miming writing on a palm) to signal for the bill from across the room. It's efficient and not considered rude. In 'cafés notables' in Buenos Aires, the waiter might leave a small slip of paper on the table early on, but you still 'pedir la cuenta' when you are ready to pay. The word 'adición' is very frequently used instead of 'cuenta'. If you ask for the 'cuenta', they will understand, but 'adición' sounds more local.
The Hand Gesture
If the restaurant is loud, just make eye contact with the waiter and pretend to write in the air. They will understand immediately.
Don't Shout
Avoid shouting '¡Oiga!' or '¡Camarero!' from across the room in formal places. A simple raised hand is better.
Bedeutung
To request the check at a restaurant.
The Hand Gesture
If the restaurant is loud, just make eye contact with the waiter and pretend to write in the air. They will understand immediately.
Don't Shout
Avoid shouting '¡Oiga!' or '¡Camarero!' from across the room in formal places. A simple raised hand is better.
Check the Bill
Always check the 'cuenta' for 'servicio incluido'. In Spain, tax is usually included, but in some LatAm countries, a 10% 'propina sugerida' might be added.
Be Specific
If you want to pay by card, say 'La cuenta, y pago con tarjeta, por favor' so they bring the machine.
Teste dich selbst
Fill in the correct form of the verb 'pedir' in the present tense.
Yo ________ la cuenta en el restaurante.
The first person singular of 'pedir' is 'pido' due to the e-i stem change.
Which is the most polite way to ask for the bill?
Select the best option:
Using '¿Me trae...?' with 'por favor' is the standard polite way to request something from a server.
Complete the dialogue between a customer and a waiter.
Cliente: 'Perdone, ¿________?' Camarero: 'Sí, enseguida se la traigo.'
The waiter's response 'enseguida se la traigo' (I'll bring it to you right away) indicates the customer asked for the bill.
Match the phrase to the correct context.
Match '¿Me cobras?' to its context.
'¿Me cobras?' is an informal way to ask for the bill, perfect for a local cafe.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Aufgabensammlung
4 AufgabenYo ________ la cuenta en el restaurante.
The first person singular of 'pedir' is 'pido' due to the e-i stem change.
Select the best option:
Using '¿Me trae...?' with 'por favor' is the standard polite way to request something from a server.
Cliente: 'Perdone, ¿________?' Camarero: 'Sí, enseguida se la traigo.'
The waiter's response 'enseguida se la traigo' (I'll bring it to you right away) indicates the customer asked for the bill.
Match '¿Me cobras?' to its context.
'¿Me cobras?' is an informal way to ask for the bill, perfect for a local cafe.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Häufig gestellte Fragen
10 FragenNot at all! In fact, it's necessary. Waiters are trained not to bother you with the bill until you ask for it.
Say 'La cuenta por separado, por favor'. However, be aware that some small restaurants might refuse to do this for large groups.
Yes, but it's very informal. Use it with waiters you know well or in very casual bars.
A 'cuenta' is the simple restaurant bill. A 'factura' is a formal tax invoice, usually requested for business expense purposes.
No, you can just say 'La cuenta, por favor'. The verb 'pedir' is what you are doing, but you don't always have to say the verb.
No, it sounds very strange in Spain. Stick to 'la cuenta' there.
You can say: '¿Sería tan amable de traernos la cuenta?'.
It means to hold someone accountable for their actions.
Usually, you 'haces el checkout' or 'pides el estado de tu cuenta' at a hotel.
Yes, 'cuenta bancaria' is a bank account, but you don't 'pedir' it in the same way.
Verwandte Redewendungen
Pagar a medias
similarTo split the bill 50/50
Invitar
contrastTo treat someone / to pay for someone
La sobremesa
builds onThe time spent talking after a meal
Dejar propina
builds onTo leave a tip
