Meaning
Requesting the bill.
Cultural Background
Tipping is appreciated but not mandatory. Usually, people round up the bill or leave about 5-10% if the service was excellent. When you 'afrekenen', you can just tell the waiter the total amount you want to pay including the tip. The 'Tikkie' culture is huge. If one person pays the whole bill after saying 'Zullen we afrekenen?', it is expected that they will send a WhatsApp payment link to the others within 24 hours. Dutch directness means that if you want the bill, you have to ask for it. Waiters will not 'disturb' you by bringing the bill unprompted, as they want you to feel welcome to stay as long as you like. In Dutch-speaking Belgium, the culture is slightly more formal. You might hear 'Mag ik de rekening?' more often than the slightly more casual 'Zullen we afrekenen?'.
The Eye Contact Rule
In the NL, catch the waiter's eye and make a 'writing in the air' gesture while saying this phrase for maximum efficiency.
Tikkie Etiquette
If you say 'Zullen we afrekenen?' and pay for the group, send the Tikkie immediately so people don't forget.
Meaning
Requesting the bill.
The Eye Contact Rule
In the NL, catch the waiter's eye and make a 'writing in the air' gesture while saying this phrase for maximum efficiency.
Tikkie Etiquette
If you say 'Zullen we afrekenen?' and pay for the group, send the Tikkie immediately so people don't forget.
Test Yourself
Fill in the missing modal verb to complete the polite request.
_______ we afrekenen?
'Zullen' is the standard modal verb for making this suggestion in Dutch.
Which sentence is the most natural way to ask for the bill in a cafe?
Select the best option:
It is the most balanced and common social formula.
Complete the dialogue between two friends.
Friend: 'Het is al laat.' You: 'Ja, klopt. ________?'
All these options are contextually correct, though 'Zullen we afrekenen' is the most common suggestion between friends.
🎉 Score: /3
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
3 exercises_______ we afrekenen?
'Zullen' is the standard modal verb for making this suggestion in Dutch.
Select the best option:
It is the most balanced and common social formula.
Friend: 'Het is al laat.' You: 'Ja, klopt. ________?'
All these options are contextually correct, though 'Zullen we afrekenen' is the most common suggestion between friends.
🎉 Score: /3
Frequently Asked Questions
3 questionsYes, but 'Mag ik de rekening?' is slightly more common when speaking directly to staff. 'Zullen we afrekenen?' is often said to your dining partners first.
Not at all in the Netherlands. It is the default expectation. Just say 'Kunnen we apart afrekenen?'
'De rekening' is the formal bill in a restaurant. 'Het bonnetje' is the small receipt you get at a shop or after paying.
Related Phrases
De rekening, alstublieft
synonymThe bill, please
Trakteren
builds onTo treat someone
Splitten
similarTo split the bill
Pinnen
specialized formTo pay by card
