Signification
Requesting the check at a restaurant
Contexte culturel
Waiters will never bring the bill until you ask. It is considered polite to let guests stay as long as they want. Tipping is usually 10% and is often left in cash on the table, even if the bill was paid by card. In traditional 'Mehanas', the bill might be handwritten on a small slip of paper. It is still called 'сметката'. Splitting the bill (paying separately) is becoming more common in cities but can be difficult in smaller towns. Always ask 'Може ли поотделно?' before the waiter starts the process.
The Air-Writing Gesture
If the restaurant is loud, catch the waiter's eye and mime writing on your palm with a pen. Then say 'Сметката, моля' when they look your way.
Don't wait for them
If you wait for the waiter to bring the bill without asking, you might be sitting there for hours. Bulgarians consider it rude to bring the bill unprompted.
Signification
Requesting the check at a restaurant
The Air-Writing Gesture
If the restaurant is loud, catch the waiter's eye and mime writing on your palm with a pen. Then say 'Сметката, моля' when they look your way.
Don't wait for them
If you wait for the waiter to bring the bill without asking, you might be sitting there for hours. Bulgarians consider it rude to bring the bill unprompted.
Rounding up
If the bill is 18.50 leva, you can just hand over a 20 leva bill and say 'Двадесет' (Twenty) or 'Задръжте остатъка' (Keep the change).
Teste-toi
Which is the most polite and common way to ask for the bill in a Bulgarian restaurant?
You have finished your meal. What do you say?
The definite article '-та' is necessary, and 'моля' provides the required politeness.
Complete the sentence to ask for the bill politely.
Може ли ________, моля?
The phrase 'Може ли сметката?' is a very common polite variation.
Complete the dialogue between a customer and a waiter.
Клиент: Извинете! Сервитьор: Да, заповядайте? Клиент: ________, моля.
In the context of finishing a meal, asking for the bill is the logical next step.
Match the phrase to the correct situation.
You want to pay by card while asking for the bill.
'С карта' tells the waiter to bring the POS terminal.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesYou have finished your meal. What do you say?
The definite article '-та' is necessary, and 'моля' provides the required politeness.
Може ли ________, моля?
The phrase 'Може ли сметката?' is a very common polite variation.
Клиент: Извинете! Сервитьор: Да, заповядайте? Клиент: ________, моля.
In the context of finishing a meal, asking for the bill is the logical next step.
You want to pay by card while asking for the bill.
'С карта' tells the waiter to bring the POS terminal.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsNo, it's not rude, but try to wait for a natural break or catch their eye first. Adding 'Извинете' (Excuse me) at the start helps.
Usually, in fast food, you pay when you order, so you wouldn't use it. It's for places where you sit and are served.
Just say 'Сметката, моля. Аз ще платя всичко' (The bill, please. I will pay for everything).
No, stay seated. Standing up might signal you are leaving without paying!
Yes, it means 'account' (like a bank account) or 'calculation'.
Because you are asking for 'the' specific bill for your table, which requires the definite article '-та'.
Say 'Може ли да разделим сметката?' (Can we divide the bill?).
It's not legally mandatory, but it's socially expected (around 10%).
Some modern places allow adding a tip to the card, but it's rare. It's better to have a few coins.
No, use 'Колко струва?' (How much does it cost?) in shops.
Expressions liées
Може ли да платим?
similarCan we pay?
Бакшиш
builds onTip
В брой
specialized formIn cash
С карта
specialized formBy card
Фактура
specialized formInvoice
