فَاتُورَة
fātūrafeminine
The English word bill can be translated into Arabic as فَاتُورَة (fātūra) or حِسَاب.
Meaning: invoice (noun)
Ways to say it
| Arabic | Romanization (Wiktionary) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| فَاتُورَة | fātūra | feminine |
| حِسَاب | ḥisāb | masculine |
In Arabic, the word used for a bill depends on whether you are referring to a formal document or a request to pay at a restaurant. فَاتُورَة refers to a formal invoice, a utility bill or an official commercial document. While حِسَاب primarily means account, it is the word used when asking for the bill or the check in a cafe or restaurant.
Which one should you use?
فَاتُورَة is used for formal commercial invoices and official documents. In contrast, حِسَاب is the word used when asking for the bill at a restaurant or cafe.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of the feminine noun فَاتُورَة is فَوَاتِير.
How do you pronounce it?
fātūra
When do people say it?
When you are dining out and wish to ask for the bill, a common phrase to use is الحِسَاب، لَوْ سَمَحْت (the bill, please).
Did you know?
- The word حِسَاب also refers to the 'Day of Reckoning' in Islamic theology, where one's life deeds are balanced like a ledger.
- The word فَاتُورَة is not originally Arabic but is a loanword derived from the Italian 'fattura'.
- In traditional etiquette in some Arabic-speaking regions, it is common for hosts to vigorously argue over who gets to pay the حِسَاب as a sign of generosity.
Examples in context
- من فضلك، جيب لي الفاتورةPlease bring me the bill.
- أريد فَاتُورَة المَطْعَم، مِنْ فَضْلِك.urīdu fātūrat al-mat'am, min fadlik.I want the restaurant bill, please.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “bill” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
