Signification
Asking for the total cost in a shop or restaurant.
Contexte culturel
The person who initiates the outing is usually expected to pay for everyone. Splitting the bill is rare among older generations. In modern cafes, young people are starting to split bills, but 'Hisab sintë näw?' is still asked to the waiter as a single total first. In small village markets, 'Hisab' might be settled in kind or through long-standing credit accounts, but the phrase remains the same. In the US or Europe, Ethiopian restaurants still see the 'bill fight' as a sign of cultural pride and connection to home.
Air Writing Gesture
If the restaurant is noisy, make a gesture as if you are writing on your palm while saying 'Hisab'. Waiters will understand immediately.
Check the Math
In smaller shops, the 'Hisab' is calculated mentally. It's okay to double-check if the total seems very high.
Signification
Asking for the total cost in a shop or restaurant.
Air Writing Gesture
If the restaurant is noisy, make a gesture as if you are writing on your palm while saying 'Hisab'. Waiters will understand immediately.
Check the Math
In smaller shops, the 'Hisab' is calculated mentally. It's okay to double-check if the total seems very high.
Use 'Ebakih/Ebakish'
Adding 'Please' at the end makes you sound much more like a fluent, respectful speaker.
Teste-toi
Complete the phrase to ask for the bill.
ሂሳብ ______ ነው?
'Sintë' means 'how much', which is required to ask for a price.
Which is the most natural way to ask for the bill in a cafe?
You have finished your coffee. What do you say?
Option B is the standard phrase for asking for the bill.
Fill in the learner's line.
Waiter: እሺ፣ ምን ልታዘዝ? Learner: ቡና እፈልጋለሁ። (Later...) Learner: _________?
After ordering and finishing, you ask for the bill.
Match the phrase to the situation.
Situation: You are in a taxi and want to know the fare.
This phrase is used for taxi fares as well as restaurant bills.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesሂሳብ ______ ነው?
'Sintë' means 'how much', which is required to ask for a price.
You have finished your coffee. What do you say?
Option B is the standard phrase for asking for the bill.
Waiter: እሺ፣ ምን ልታዘዝ? Learner: ቡና እፈልጋለሁ። (Later...) Learner: _________?
After ordering and finishing, you ask for the bill.
Situation: You are in a taxi and want to know the fare.
This phrase is used for taxi fares as well as restaurant bills.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
5 questionsNo, it is not rude. In fact, waiters often won't bring the bill until you ask for it, as they don't want to rush you.
You can, but 'Sintë näw?' is more common for one item. 'Hisab' implies a total or a service.
You can just say 'Sintë näw?', but 'Hisab' makes it clear you are asking for the final bill.
You can say 'ውድ ነው' (Wid näw) or 'ሂሳቡ ተሳስቷል' (Hisabu täsastwal - The bill is wrong).
Yes, 'የባንክ ሂሳብ' (Yebank hisab) means bank account, but you wouldn't use this phrase to ask for your balance.
Expressions liées
ስንት ነው?
similarHow much is it?
ሂሳቡን አምጣ
specialized formBring the bill
መክፈል እፈልጋለሁ
builds onI want to pay
ለውጥ የለም
contrastThere is no change
