Welcome to our guide on how to say “check” in France! Whether you’re visiting a restaurant, hotel, or any other place where you need to request the bill, it’s important to know the right phrases to use. In this guide, we will walk you through both formal and informal ways to ask for the check in French. We will also provide some tips, examples, and even discuss a few regional variations. So, let’s get started!
Table of Contents
Formal Ways to Say “Check”
In formal situations, it’s essential to use polite language. Here are a few phrases you can use when requesting the check in a formal setting:
- “L’addition, s’il vous plaît.” – This phrase translates to “The check, please.” It is the most common and widely understood way to ask for the bill formally.
- “Pourriez-vous me donner l’addition, s’il vous plaît?” – If you want to be even more polite, you can use this phrase, which translates to “Could you please give me the check?”
- “Est-ce que je peux avoir l’addition, s’il vous plaît?” – This phrase means “Can I have the check, please?” and is another way to politely request the bill.
- “Je souhaite payer.” – If you want to explicitly state that you want to pay, you can use this phrase, which translates to “I want to pay.”
Informal Ways to Say “Check”
In more casual settings, you can use less formal language to request the check. Here are a few informal phrases you can use:
- “L’addition, s’il te plaît.” – This phrase is similar to the formal version, but uses the second person singular pronoun “te” instead of “vous.” It is used when speaking to someone informally, like a friend or family member.
- “Tu peux m’apporter l’addition, s’il te plaît?” – This means “Can you bring me the check, please?” and is another common way to ask for the bill informally.
- “Je voudrais payer.” – If you want to express that you would like to pay, you can use this phrase, which translates to “I would like to pay.” It is a more relaxed way of requesting the check.
Tips for Requesting the Check
Here are a few tips to keep in mind when asking for the check in France:
- Non-verbal gestures: In addition to using the appropriate phrases, it is common to make a small hand gesture when requesting the bill. Simply making a rectangle shape with your hand can indicate to the server that you would like the check.
- Eye contact: When you are ready to request the bill, try to establish eye contact with your server. This signals that you are ready to pay and saves you from unnecessary wait time.
- Patience: Remember that in France, servers typically give customers ample time to enjoy their meal. So, don’t rush them to bring the check. Relax, enjoy your surroundings, and ask for the bill when you are ready to leave.
Examples
To help you understand how to use these phrases in context, here are a few examples of requesting the check in both formal and informal situations:
Example 1:
Formal: Server: “Bonjour, voici votre addition.”
Customer: “Merci. Est-ce que je peux payer par carte?”
Translation: Server: “Hello, here is your check.”
Customer: “Thank you. Can I pay by card?”
Example 2:
Informal: Server: “Tiens, l’addition.”
Customer: “Ok, je vais payer en espèces.”
Translation: Server: “Here, the check.”
Customer: “Okay, I’ll pay in cash.”
Regional Variations
While the phrases mentioned above are widely understood throughout France, it’s worth noting that there might be some regional variations. For instance, in some parts of France, people may use the word “note” instead of “addition” when referring to the bill.
However, these regional variations are not common and may sound less natural to speakers from other regions. Therefore, it’s generally safer to stick to the phrases mentioned earlier.
Conclusion
Congratulations! You have now learned how to say “check” in France. Whether you find yourself in a formal or informal setting, you can confidently use the phrases provided in this guide to request the bill. Remember to adopt appropriate non-verbal gestures, maintain eye contact, and exercise patience when requesting the check. Enjoy your time in France, savor the local cuisine, and have a wonderful trip!
