Signification
A common phrase used to ask for the check in a restaurant.
Contexte culturel
In Germany, the waiter usually brings the bill and processes the payment right at the table using a large wallet. It is rare to take your card away to a back room. In traditional Viennese cafes, the 'Herr Ober' (waiter) is a figure of authority. 'Zahlen, bitte!' should be said with a respectful but clear tone. Service is usually included in the price in Switzerland, but rounding up the bill is still common practice when saying 'Zahlen, bitte!'. The 'Zusammen oder getrennt?' question is a cultural staple. It is perfectly normal for a group of 10 people to pay separately, and the waiter will patiently calculate each person's share.
The Air Gesture
If the restaurant is loud, catch the waiter's eye and mimic writing in the air with your hand while saying 'Zahlen, bitte!'.
Cash is King
Many traditional German restaurants still do not accept credit cards. Always check 'Akzeptieren Sie Karten?' before you order.
Signification
A common phrase used to ask for the check in a restaurant.
The Air Gesture
If the restaurant is loud, catch the waiter's eye and mimic writing in the air with your hand while saying 'Zahlen, bitte!'.
Cash is King
Many traditional German restaurants still do not accept credit cards. Always check 'Akzeptieren Sie Karten?' before you order.
Don't Wait for the Bill
German waiters will almost never bring the bill unless you ask. They think it's rude to rush you!
Teste-toi
You are in a restaurant and want to pay. Which is the most natural phrase?
Was sagst du zum Kellner?
'Zahlen, bitte!' is the standard idiomatic expression for this situation.
Complete the dialogue between a guest and a waiter.
Gast: Zahlen, bitte! Kellner: Gerne. ________ oder getrennt?
The standard follow-up question is 'Zusammen oder getrennt?' (Together or separate?).
Match the phrase to the correct level of formality.
1. Zahlen, bitte! 2. Ich möchte bitte die Rechnung begleichen. 3. Ich zahl' dann mal.
'Zahlen, bitte!' is neutral, 'begleichen' is formal, and 'Ich zahl' dann mal' is informal.
Fill in the missing word to make the phrase more polite.
Könnten wir ______ zahlen?
'Bitte' is the essential word for politeness in German requests.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Where to use 'Zahlen, bitte!'
Yes
- • Restaurant
- • Cafe
- • Bar
- • Biergarten
No
- • Supermarkt
- • Bäckerei
- • Kino
- • Kleidungsgeschäft
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesWas sagst du zum Kellner?
'Zahlen, bitte!' is the standard idiomatic expression for this situation.
Gast: Zahlen, bitte! Kellner: Gerne. ________ oder getrennt?
The standard follow-up question is 'Zusammen oder getrennt?' (Together or separate?).
1. Zahlen, bitte! 2. Ich möchte bitte die Rechnung begleichen. 3. Ich zahl' dann mal.
'Zahlen, bitte!' is neutral, 'begleichen' is formal, and 'Ich zahl' dann mal' is informal.
Könnten wir ______ zahlen?
'Bitte' is the essential word for politeness in German requests.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsNo, it is the standard, polite way to ask. Adding 'bitte' makes it perfectly acceptable in all but the most formal settings.
You can! It's slightly more formal. Both are very common and you will hear both daily.
Say 'Zusammen, bitte' or 'Ich lade Sie/dich ein'.
Usually 5-10%. Round up to the nearest Euro for small amounts, or add a few Euros for larger bills.
No, in a shop you just wait for the cashier to tell you the price. It's only for restaurants/cafes.
It means 'Keep the change'. You say it while handing over the money if the change is the tip you want to give.
No, stay seated. The waiter will come to you with their wallet or a card machine.
A small hand wave and a clear 'Entschuldigung!' followed by 'Zahlen, bitte!' is the way to go.
It's a verb (to pay). It's a shortened form of 'Ich möchte zahlen'.
In big cities like Berlin, they will understand, but it's much better to use the German phrase.
Expressions liées
Die Rechnung, bitte!
similarThe bill, please.
Stimmt so.
builds onKeep the change.
Ich lade dich ein.
contrastI am inviting you (I'm paying).
Getrennt, bitte.
specialized formSeparately, please.
