お会計をお願いできますか？
Okaikei o onegai dekimasu ka?
The English phrase "can we get the bill?" is translated into Japanese as お会計をお願いできますか？ (Okaikei o onegai dekimasu ka?)
This phrase is a polite request used in a restaurant to ask for the total amount of money owed. To catch a waiter's attention before making your request, you can say Sumimasen (Excuse me). If you wish to split the bill among different people, you can use the phrase Betsu betsu de to indicate you want to pay separately. In many Japanese restaurants, you can also simply catch the server's attention and say Okaikei to signal that you are ready to pay.
Which one should you use?
You can also use お会計、お願いします which is a slightly more direct but still polite version. For more formal settings, you may use お勘定をお願いできますか？ or お勘定をお願いします。
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
お会計、お願いします is slightly more direct but remains polite. For formal situations, use the versions involving お勘定, such as お勘定をお願いできますか？ or お勘定をお願いします。
How do you pronounce it?
Okaikei o onegai dekimasu ka?
Did you know?
- Tipping is not practiced in Japan. If you leave extra money on the table when asking for the bill, the server may chase you down the street to return it.
- In many Japanese restaurants, you do not ask for the bill at the table. Instead, you take your slip of paper to the register near the exit to pay.
- Japanese restaurants often provide a small tray for the bill and money. It is considered proper etiquette to place your money on the tray rather than handing it directly to the server.
Examples in context
- お会計をお願いできますか？okaikei o onegai dekimasu ka?Can we get the bill?
- すみません、お会計をお願いできますか？sumimasen, okaikei o onegai dekimasu ka?Excuse me, can we get the bill?
- お会計をお願いできますか？二人分です。okaikei o onegai dekimasu ka? futaribun desu.Can we get the bill? It's for two people.
Example conversation
Youta and Misaki are finishing their meal at a restaurant.
- 美咲 Misakiお腹いっぱいだね。Onaka ippai dane.I'm so full.
- 陽太 Yotaそうだね。店員さんに、お会計をお願いできますか？Sō dane. Ten'in-san ni, okaikei o onegai dekimasu ka?I agree. Can we ask the server for the bill?
- 美咲 Misakiいいよ。私が呼ぶね。Ii yo. Watashi ga yobu ne.Sure. I'll call them.
- 陽太 Yotaありがとう、美咲。Arigatō, Misaki.Thanks, Misaki.
