la cuenta, por favor
/la ˈkwenta poɾ faˈboɾ/word by word
The English phrase "can I have the bill please" is translated into Spanish as la cuenta, por favor.
This phrase is a polite request for the total amount of money owed at a restaurant or cafe. While English speakers often use a full sentence like "Can I have the bill, please?", in Spanish it is much more common and perfectly polite to simply say la cuenta, por favor.
Which one should you use?
While la cuenta, por favor is a short noun phrase, you can also use full interrogative sentences. For example, ¿Me trae la cuenta, por favor? translates to "Will you bring me the bill, please?" and is a formal way to request it.
How do you pronounce it?
/la ˈkwenta poɾ faˈboɾ/
When do people say it?
In many Spanish-speaking cultures, it is considered impolite for a waiter to bring the bill before you ask for it, as it is seen as rushing the guest.
Did you know?
- In some Spanish-speaking countries, you can signal for the bill without saying a word by making a writing motion in the air with your hand. This subtle gesture is widely understood in restaurants and is often seen as a quick, non-intrusive way to catch a waiter's attention.
- The word cuenta is a distant relative of the English word 'computer' through the shared Latin root computāre.
- The word cuenta comes from the verb contar, which means both 'to count' and 'to tell a story'.
Examples in context
- ¿Nos trae la cuenta, por favor?Will you bring us the bill, please?
- Queremos la cuenta, por favor.We want the bill, please.
Example conversation
Javier and Elena are finishing their meal at a restaurant.
- JavierYa estoy lleno. La cuenta, por favor.I'm full now. The bill, please.
- ElenaYo también. ¿Quieres pagar tú, Javier?Me too. Do you want to pay, Javier?
- JavierSí, yo pago hoy.Yes, I'll pay today.
- ElenaMuchas gracias, Javier.Thank you very much, Javier.
