¿me trae la cuenta?
The phrase "can I get the bill?" in Spanish is translated as ¿me trae la cuenta?
This phrase is a polite request used in a restaurant to ask a server for the total amount of money owed. The word cuenta is the most common way to refer to the bill or check.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase literally translates to "Will you bring me the bill?"
Which one should you use?
While ¿me trae la cuenta? is a full sentence, you can also use the shorter, very common alternative La cuenta, por favor.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In some regions, the word factura is used instead of cuenta to refer to the bill.
How does it change in a sentence?
In the formal version ¿me trae la cuenta?, the verb trae is the third-person singular formal conjugation of traer (to bring). In the informal version ¿me traes la cuenta?, the verb is changed to traes.
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers sometimes mistakenly use el recibo (the receipt) when they actually want to ask for the bill to be paid.
Did you know?
- In many Spanish-speaking countries, it is common to catch a waiter's eye and make a subtle writing motion in the air with your hand to signal you want the bill.
- In some Latin American cultures, requesting la cuenta is the signal for the group to begin the 'fight' over who gets to pay the whole bill.
- The verb contar used in cuenta has a double meaning in Spanish, as it is used both for counting numbers and for telling a story.
Examples in context
- ¿Podría traerme la cuenta, por favor?Can I get the bill?
- ¿Me podría cobrar, por favor?Could you charge me, please?
- ¿Me puedes traer la cuenta?Can you bring me the bill?
- Cuando pueda, ¿me trae la cuenta?When you can, can you bring me the bill?
Example conversation
At a small cafe in Madrid.
- SofíaPerdone, ¿me trae la cuenta?Excuse me, can I get the bill?
- JavierSí, Sofía, enseguida se la traigo.Yes, Sofía, I will bring it to you right away.
- SofíaMuchas gracias, Javier.Thank you very much, Javier.
- JavierDe nada, hasta luego.You're welcome, see you later.
