お会計お願いします
okaikei onegaishimasu
In Japanese, "bill, please" is said as お会計お願いします (okaikei onegaishimasu).
This phrase is a polite request used when you are ready to settle the total amount due at a restaurant or cafe, whether you are paying at your table or at the register.
Which one should you use?
While お会計お願いします is a standard polite way to ask for the bill, you may also use お勘定をお願いします for a more formal expression. If you are in a Western-style restaurant or cafe, you can also use the katakana loanword チェックお願いします (check, please) instead of the Japanese word for bill.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
お会計お願いします is a standard polite form. For a more formal tone, use お勘定をお願いします. For an informal setting, you can use the shortened お会計お願い.
How do you pronounce it?
okaikei onegaishimasu
Did you know?
- In Japan, it is common to place your money or credit card on a small decorative tray provided by the staff rather than handing it directly to them when saying お会計お願いします.
- In Japan, it is customary to pay at the cash register near the entrance rather than at your table. Even if you use お会計お願いします at your seat, the server will often hand you a small slip to take to the front.
- Japanese uses the honorific prefix お (o) in お会計 to show respect to the process of payment and the person handling the money.
Examples in context
- あのう、お勘定をお願いします。Excuse me, could we have the bill, please?
- すみません、お会計お願いします。Sumimasen, okaikei onegaishimasu.Excuse me, bill please.
- お会計お願いします。Okaikei onegaishimasu.Check, please.
Example conversation
Yui and Yota are finishing their meal at a cafe.
- 結衣 Yuiもうお腹いっぱいだね。Mō onaka ippai dane.I'm already full.
- 陽太 Yota僕も。そろそろ行こうか。Boku mo. Sorosoro ikō ka.Me too. Shall we head out?
- 結衣 Yui店員さん、お会計お願いします。Ten'in-san, o-kaikei onegaishimasu.Server, bill please.
- 陽太 Yotaあ、僕が払うよ。A, boku ga harau yo.Oh, I'll pay.
