结账

Simply catch the server's eye and say 结账. You can add a polite 请 (please) at the beginning. It works perfectly at the end of a sentence too. For example, 我们要结账 (We want to pay). It is short, punchy, and impossible to misunderstand. Don't worry about complex grammar here.

Use it at restaurants, cafes, or bars. It is perfect for casual diners and mid-range spots. Use it when you are ready to leave. It signals the end of the social event. You can also use it when calling a restaurant to settle a debt. It is the universal 'check please' of the Chinese world.

Avoid using it at very high-end, formal banquets. In those cases, the host usually handles it discreetly. Don't shout it across a crowded, quiet room. That might seem a bit rude. Also, don't use it at a street stall where you pay upfront. If you already paid, there is no 'account' to settle. It is for sit-down service mostly.

In China, paying the bill is often a competitive sport. You might see friends 'fighting' to be the one to 结账. This is a sign of generosity and respect. The word 结 implies a knot or a completion. It suggests a clean finish to the transaction. Historically, shops kept paper ledgers, and 'tying' them meant the day was done.

In Southern China or Hong Kong, you might hear 买单 (mǎidān). It is slightly more casual and very popular. In very formal settings, you might say 买单 or 买单. If you want the physical bill, ask for 账单 (zhàngdān). But for the action of paying, 结账 remains the gold standard.