¿nos trae la cuenta, por favor?
The English phrase "can we have the bill, please?" is translated into Spanish as ¿nos trae la cuenta, por favor?
This phrase is a polite request used in a restaurant to ask the server for the total amount of money owed.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Adding por favor to the end of the request makes it polite and standard for restaurant settings.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase uses the third-person singular form of the verb traer to express a polite request to a server.
Did you know?
- In many Spanish-speaking countries, you do not need to use a full sentence to ask for the bill. You can simply catch the server's eye and say la cuenta while making a writing motion in the air with your hand.
- The word cuenta comes from the verb contar, which means both 'to count' numbers and 'to tell' a story.
- In some Latin American countries, asking for cuentas separadas is a specific request to avoid the common custom of splitting a bill equally.
Examples in context
- ¿Podría traernos la cuenta, por favor?Can we have the bill, please?
- ¿Puede acercarnos la cuenta, por favor?Can you bring us the bill, please?
- ¿Nos hace el favor de traernos la cuenta?Could you do us the favor of bringing the bill?
- Disculpe, ¿nos trae la cuenta, por favor?Excuse me, can you bring us the bill, please?
- Ya terminamos, ¿nos trae la cuenta, por favor?We are finished, can you bring us the bill, please?
Example conversation
Maria and Javier are finishing their meal at a restaurant.
- MaríaTodo estuvo delicioso. ¿Nos trae la cuenta, por favor?Everything was delicious. Can we have the bill, please?
- JavierSí, claro. Se la traigo enseguida.Yes, of course. I'll bring it to you right away.
- MaríaMuchas gracias, Javier.Thank you very much, Javier.
- JavierDe nada. Un momento, por favor.You're welcome. One moment, please.
