お会計お願いします
okaikei onegaishimasu
The English phrase "can I have the bill?" is translated into Japanese as お会計お願いします (okaikei onegaishimasu).
This phrase is used in restaurants or cafes when you are ready to settle your payment and want the server to bring the total or the check. You can use the word すみません (excuse me) before the phrase to catch a waiter's attention. If you need to request separate checks, you can add 別々に before asking for the bill.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of お (a polite prefix), 会計 (accounting or bill) and お願いします (please or I request it).
Which one should you use?
While お会計お願いします is the standard modern way to ask, using 勘定 instead of 会計 is slightly more formal or traditional. In very casual settings, you might simply say お会計 to signal you are ready to pay.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
お会計お願いします is a standard polite way to ask for the bill and is suitable for use with staff. More formal options include お勘定をお願いします, お支払いをお願いできますか or お会計をお願いいたします. For an informal setting, you can use お勘定お願い.
How do you pronounce it?
okaikei onegaishimasu
Did you know?
- In many Japanese restaurants, the bill is not brought to your table but is instead printed on a small slip of paper tucked into a small tray or folder, which you then carry to the cash register near the exit.
- When you say お会計 or お勘定, you might notice the server brings a small tray called a トレー to receive your money, rather than handing cash directly to them.
- The word 会計 is also used to refer to the 'Treasurer' or 'Accountant' as a person's job title in a club or organization.
Examples in context
- すみません、お勘定をお願いしますExcuse me, can I have the bill, please?
- お勘定をお願いします、お腹がいっぱいになったのでCan I have the bill? I am full now.
- すみません、お会計お願いします。Sumimasen, okaikei onegaishimasu.Excuse me, can I have the bill?
- お会計お願いします。カードは使えますか？Okaikei onegaishimasu. Kaado wa tsukaemasu ka?Can I have the bill? Can I use a card?
Example conversation
Yui and Yota are finishing their meal at a small cafe.
- 結衣 Yui陽太くん、そろそろ行こうか。Yota-kun, sorosoro ikou ka.Yota, shall we head out soon?
- 陽太 Yotaそうだね。結衣さん、店員さんを呼んで。Sou da ne. Yui-san, tenin-san wo yonde.You're right. Yui, please call the waiter.
- 結衣 Yuiお会計お願いします。Okaikei onegaishimasu.Can I have the bill, please?
- 陽太 Yota分かった。僕が払うよ。Wakatta. Boku ga harau yo.Okay. I will pay.
