cuenta
/ˈkwenta/feminine
In Spanish, the English word 'bill' (in the sense of an invoice) is translated as cuenta. Wiktionary also lists factura and compto (disused).
Meaning: invoice (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| cuenta | /ˈkwenta/ | feminine |
| factura | /faɡˈtuɾa/ | feminine |
| compto (disused) | masculine |
Use cuenta when referring to the bill at a cafe or restaurant. Use factura when referring to a formal commercial invoice or a document used for business and tax purposes.
Which one should you use?
While cuenta is the standard term for a bill in a dining setting, factura is used for formal, commercial invoices. The masculine term compto is a disused form.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Mexico, the word nota is commonly used to refer to the bill.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of cuenta is cuentas, and the plural form of factura is facturas. Both words are feminine nouns.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈkwenta/
When do people say it?
The standard, polite way to ask a waiter for the bill is to say La cuenta, por favor.
Did you know?
- In Argentina, the word factura is used to describe a variety of sweet pastries. This name was chosen by the baker's union to highlight the value of their labor.
- The word cuenta comes from the verb contar, which means both 'to count' and 'to tell a story'.
- In some regions, the phrase pagar la cuenta can be used idiomatically to mean taking responsibility for a mistake or 'paying the price'.
Examples in context
- Tom pagó la cuenta.Tom paid the bill.This sentence shows how to say Tom paid the bill using cuenta.Tatoeba #1174944 by marcelostockle, translation #1164333 by CK
- Aquí está la cuenta.Here is the bill.This sentence shows how to say Here is the bill using cuenta.Tatoeba #6076467 by JRB, translation #1495898 by CK
- La cuenta, por favor.The bill, please.This sentence shows the polite way to request the bill using cuenta.Tatoeba #2876 by Shishir, translation #462578 by lukaszpp
- ¿Me puede traer la cuenta, por favor?Can you bring me the bill, please?
- El total de la cuenta es 50 euros.The total amount of the bill is 50 euros.
- ¿Puedo pagar la cuenta ahora?Can I pay the bill now?
- ¿Cuánto es?How much is it?
- 78 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
María and Mateo are finishing their dinner at a restaurant.
- MaríaYa terminamos, ¿pedimos la cuenta?We're finished, shall we ask for the bill?
- MateoSí, yo pago la cuenta hoy.Yes, I'll pay the bill today.
- MaríaMuchas gracias, Mateo.Thank you very much, Mateo.
- MateoDe nada, María.You're welcome, María.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “bill” translations and entries cuenta, factura, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries cuenta, factura, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
