účet
[ˈuːt͡ʃɛt]masculine
The English phrase "bill" can be translated into Czech as účet or faktura.
Meaning: invoice (noun)
Ways to say it
| Czech | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| účet | [ˈuːt͡ʃɛt] (narrow) | masculine |
| faktura | [ˈfaktura] (narrow) | feminine |
účet is a common term that refers to a bill to be paid, such as at a restaurant or a bank account depending on the context. faktura is specifically used for an invoice.
Which one should you use?
While účet is used for general bills like those found at a restaurant or for utility bills, faktura is the formal term used for an invoice in business and professional accounting.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural of účet is účty, and the plural of faktura is faktury.
What mistakes should you avoid?
When you want to say you are paying a bill for food or services in a casual restaurant, use zaplatit účet rather than platit fakturu, which sounds unnatural in that setting.
Did you know?
- When asking for the účet in a traditional Czech pub, it is common to make a writing motion in the air with your finger if the waiter is too far away to hear you.
- The word účet is also used in the phrase účet vyrovnat, which can mean 'to settle a bill' or 'to get even' with someone after a grudge.
- The word účet shares the same root as the verb číst, which means 'to read'. Historically, the word evolved from the act of counting or reading through a list of items to be paid.
Examples in context
- Účet dělal 500 dolarů.The bill amounted to 500 dollars.This sentence shows how to state the total amount of the účet.Tatoeba #5896549 by idle, translation #21115 by CK
- Přinesu vám ihned účet.I'll bring you the bill immediately.This sentence is useful for requesting that someone brings the účet to you immediately.Tatoeba #12439566 by jms, translation #2420 by contour
- Přineste mi prosím účet.Please bring me my bill.This sentence is a polite way to ask for the účet.Tatoeba #4923224 by aldar, translation #435202 by CK
- 16 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Jakub and Kateřina are finishing their dinner at a restaurant.
- JakubUž jsme všechno snědli, zaplatíme účet?We've eaten everything, shall we pay the bill?
- KateřinaAno, poprosimy číšníka o účet.Yes, let's ask the waiter for the bill.
- JakubTady je účet, je to na mě.Here is the bill, it's on me.
- KateřinaDěkuju, Jakube, to je od tebe milé.Thank you, Jakub, that is kind of you.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “bill” translations and entries účet, faktura, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries faktura, účet, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
