L'addition, s'il vous plaît
The English phrase "can we get the bill" is translated into French as L'addition, s'il vous plaît.
In French, it is more natural and common to simply state the noun "the bill" followed by "please" rather than using a full sentence like "Can we have the bill?" You can also use the slightly more complete sentence On voudrait l'addition, s'il vous plaît, which means "We would like the bill, please".
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The phrase L'addition, s'il vous plaît is a polite request and is the standard way to ask a waiter for the bill. For more formal options, you can say Pourriez-vous nous apporter l'addition, s'il vous plaît? (Could you bring us the bill, please?) or Excusez-moi, pouvez-vous m'apporter l'addition, s'il vous plaît? (Excuse me, can you bring me the bill, please?). In informal settings, you might say Tu peux nous apporter l'addition, s'il te plaît? (Can you bring us the bill, please?) or Excuse-moi, tu peux m'apporter l'addition? (Excuse me, can you bring me the bill?).
Did you know?
- In many French cafes, you will not receive l'addition until you explicitly ask for it. Bringing the bill without being asked is often considered rude, as it suggests the waiter is rushing the guests out.
- While l'addition is the standard word for a restaurant bill, the word la facture is used for professional invoices or utility bills. Using la facture in a restaurant would sound very strange to a native speaker.
- The French word addition comes from the Latin word for 'adding', referring to the act of summing up the costs. This differs from the English word 'bill', which originally referred to a piece of parchment.
Examples in context
- L'addition, s'il vous plaît.The bill, please.
- Est-ce qu'on peut avoir l'addition, s'il vous plaît ?Can we get the bill, please?
- Je voudrais l'addition, s'il vous plaît.I would like the bill, please.
Example conversation
Gabriel and Emma are finishing a meal at a cafe.
- GabrielLe repas était délicieux, Emma.The meal was delicious, Emma.
- EmmaOui, c'était très bon.Yes, it was very good.
- GabrielL'addition, s'il vous plaît !The bill, please!
- EmmaJe vais appeler le serveur.I will call the waiter.
