Hesabı alabilir miyim?
In Turkish, "can I have the bill?" is expressed as Hesabı alabilir miyim?
This phrase is used specifically in service settings like restaurants, cafes or bars to request the final total amount owed for a meal. In a quick casual setting, you can simply say hesap to ask for the bill. Adding the word lütfen at the end of a phrase makes the request more polite.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase Hesabı alabilir miyim? literally translates to "Can I take the account?", where hesap means "account" or "bill".
Which one should you use?
While Hesabı alabilir miyim? asks "Can I have the bill?", you can also use Hesabı getirebilir misiniz? to say "Can you bring the bill, please?"
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Hesabı alabilir miyim? is a polite and standard way to request the bill in a restaurant. Hesabı getirebilir misiniz? is a formal way to ask the staff to bring the bill. Conversely, Hesap getirebilir misin? is an informal way to ask someone to bring the bill.
How does it change in a sentence?
The use of the -ebilir miyim? verb ending in Hesabı alabilir miyim? makes this a polite and standard request.
Did you know?
- In Turkish culture, it is often considered impolite for the host to let the guest say Hesabı alabilir miyim? first, leading to a playful 'struggle' over who pays.
- The word hesap is used in the common idiom hesap kesmek, which means to settle a score or take revenge on someone.
- If you want to be even more concise than just saying hesap, you can simply catch a waiter's eye and make a subtle writing motion in the air with your hand.
Examples in context
- Hesabı alabilir miyim, lütfen?Can I have the bill, please?
- Affedersiniz, hesabı alabilir miyim?Excuse me, can I have the bill?
Example conversation
Burak and Merve are finishing their dinner at a restaurant.
- BurakYemekler harikaydı, hesabı alabilir miyim?The meals were great, can I have the bill?
- MerveTabii, hemen getiriyorum.Of course, I am bringing it right away.
- BurakTeşekkürler Merve.Thanks, Merve.
- MerveRica ederim Burak.You are welcome, Burak.
