el compte, si us plau
In Catalan, "check please" is said as el compte, si us plau.
This phrase is used to request the bill at a restaurant.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of el compte, meaning "the bill" and si us plau, meaning "if you please" or "please".
Which one should you use?
You can simply say el compte to refer to the bill itself, but it is standard to add si us plau to turn it into a polite request.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The phrase el compte, si us plau is a polite way to make a request and is suitable for a restaurant setting. For even more formal situations, you can use full sentences such as Podria demanar el compte, si us plau? (Could I ask for the bill, please?) or Em podria portar el compte, si us plau? (Could you bring me the bill, please?).
How does it change in a sentence?
The expression si us plau is the polite form of "please" used when addressing a group or when being formal.
Did you know?
- Catalan speakers often use a small hand gesture resembling writing in the air while saying el compte, si us plau to signal the waiter.
- In some traditional Catalan settings, a waiter might wait for you to ask for el compte rather than bringing it automatically to avoid rushing the guest.
- The word compte comes from the Latin word computus, which is the same root found in the English word 'compute'.
Examples in context
- Sí, molt. Podria demanar el compte, si us plau?Yes, very much. Could I ask for the bill, please?
- Quan pugui, el compte, si us plau.The check, please, when you can.
Example conversation
Júlia and Jordi are finishing their meal at a café.
- JúliaHe estat molt benI have eaten very well.
- JordiJo també, anem-nos.Me too, let's go.
- JúliaCamairer, el compte, si us plau.Waiter, the check please.
- JordiJo pagaré avui, Júlia.I will pay today, Júlia.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries compte, el, si, us, CC BY-SA 4.0.
