What does it mean word for word?
The term l'addition literally means "the addition" or "the sum".
Which one should you use?
While the default form is a short request, you can use longer versions such as On peut avoir l'addition, s'il vous plaît? to say "Can we have the bill, please?" More formal variations include Pourriez-vous m'apporter l'addition, s'il vous plaît? (Could you bring me the check, please?) or Excusez-moi, pourriez-vous me donner l'addition? (Excuse me, could you give me the bill?). An informal version is Tu peux me passer l'addition, s'il te plaît? (Can you pass me the bill, please?).
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Quebec, the term le compte is often used to refer to the bill instead of l'addition.
When do people say it?
In France, servers will rarely bring the bill to your table unless you specifically ask for it, as they consider it rude to rush you.
Did you know?
- The word vous in the phrase s'il vous plaît is a distant relative of the Russian word вы and the Italian word voi.
- The polite pronoun vous used in the phrase has many regional versions, such as vouz in Gallo or vos in Norman. In the Picard dialect, it is even shortened to os.
Examples in context
- Est-ce que je peux avoir l'addition, s'il vous plaît ?Can I have the check, please?
- Nous voudrions l'addition, s'il vous plaît.We would like the check, please.
Example conversation
Gabriel and Léa are finishing their lunch at a cafe.
- GabrielC'était très bon, Léa.It was very good, Léa.
- LéaOui, c'était délicieux.Yes, it was delicious.
- GabrielL'addition, s'il vous plaît.The check, please.
- LéaJe vais appeler le serveur.I will call the waiter.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries vous, CC BY-SA 4.0.
