Signification
Asking for the check at a restaurant
Contexte culturel
The 'Bill Fight': It is very common for friends to argue over who pays. Uttering 'Cho tôi tính tiền' first is a sign of respect and generosity. Waiters will rarely bring the bill unless asked. This is because they don't want to make you feel like they are kicking you out. The phrase is incomplete without 'Em ơi'. Calling the waiter is not considered rude; it is necessary to get service. Tipping is not mandatory in Vietnam. When you 'tính tiền', you usually expect exact change back, though in modern cafes, people often leave small change.
The Hand Wave
In a loud restaurant, make a small 'writing' motion in the air with your hand while saying the phrase to ensure the waiter understands.
Pronoun Power
Using 'tôi' is safe but can be cold. Try to use 'anh', 'chị', or 'em' to sound much more friendly.
Signification
Asking for the check at a restaurant
The Hand Wave
In a loud restaurant, make a small 'writing' motion in the air with your hand while saying the phrase to ensure the waiter understands.
Pronoun Power
Using 'tôi' is safe but can be cold. Try to use 'anh', 'chị', or 'em' to sound much more friendly.
The 'Nhé' Ending
Adding 'nhé' at the end (Tính tiền nhé!) makes you sound like you've lived in Vietnam for years.
Don't wait for the bill
If you wait for the waiter to bring the bill, you might be sitting there forever. Be proactive!
Teste-toi
Fill in the missing word to ask for the bill politely.
Em ơi, cho tôi ___ tiền.
'Tính tiền' is the standard phrase for asking for the bill calculation.
Which phrase is most appropriate for a formal business dinner?
How should you ask for the bill in a 5-star hotel?
'Thanh toán' is the formal term for settling a bill.
Complete the dialogue between a customer (older male) and a young waitress.
Customer: 'Em ơi, ___ tính tiền.'
An older male should refer to himself as 'anh' when speaking to a younger waitress ('em').
Match the phrase to the situation.
Situation: You are at a street stall and the owner is a very old woman.
Using 'cháu' (grandchild) and 'bà' (grandmother) is the most respectful way to address an elderly vendor.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Formal vs Informal Payment
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesEm ơi, cho tôi ___ tiền.
'Tính tiền' is the standard phrase for asking for the bill calculation.
How should you ask for the bill in a 5-star hotel?
'Thanh toán' is the formal term for settling a bill.
Customer: 'Em ơi, ___ tính tiền.'
An older male should refer to himself as 'anh' when speaking to a younger waitress ('em').
Situation: You are at a street stall and the owner is a very old woman.
Using 'cháu' (grandchild) and 'bà' (grandmother) is the most respectful way to address an elderly vendor.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsYes, it is perfectly polite for everyday use. To make it even more polite, add 'Làm ơn' at the beginning or 'ạ' at the end.
Usually, in a shop, you just ask 'Bao nhiêu tiền?' (How much money?). 'Tính tiền' is specifically for when a calculation of multiple items is needed, like at a restaurant.
Say 'Cho tôi tính tiền, quẹt thẻ được không?' (Let me pay, can I swipe a card?).
In Vietnam, you must get the server's attention first. 'Em ơi' is the universal way to call someone younger or of similar age in a service role.
'Tính tiền' is 'calculate the bill', while 'trả tiền' is the physical act of 'paying the money'. Use the former to ask for the check.
Usually after you finish, but if you are in a hurry, you can say it while you are still finishing your last bites.
Yes, just 'Tính tiền!' is common in very casual places like street food stalls or bars.
Add 'Lấy hóa đơn' to the phrase: 'Cho tôi tính tiền và lấy hóa đơn.'
Replace 'tôi' with 'con' or 'cháu' and address them as 'Cô', 'Chú', or 'Bác'. E.g., 'Cô ơi, cho cháu tính tiền.'
Not 'better', just different. 'Thanh toán' is for formal places; 'tính tiền' is for everywhere else.
Expressions liées
Thanh toán
synonymTo settle payment
Trả tiền
similarTo pay money
Tiền thối
builds onChange (money returned)
Hóa đơn
similarInvoice/Bill
Bao
specialized formTo treat someone
