买单
mǎidān
In Chinese, "check, please" is said as 买单 (mǎidān).
买单 is used to ask to pay the bill at a restaurant or cafe. In many casual dining settings in China, you can simply call out 买单 to get a server's attention.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase consists of 买 (mǎi), meaning 'to buy' and 单 (dān), meaning 'list' or 'bill'.
Which one should you use?
买单 is a colloquial way to ask for the bill, whereas 请结账 (qǐng jiézhàng) is a more formal way to say 'Please settle the bill.'
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
买单 is an informal, colloquial expression. For a more formal tone, you should use 结账 (jiézhàng) or 请结账 (qǐng jiézhàng).
Is it said differently in some regions?
请结账 (qǐng jiézhàng) is used in most regions, including Beijing and Northern China. In Shanghai and Eastern China, you will commonly hear 买单吧 (mǎi dān ba). In Cantonese-speaking regions such as Guangzhou and Hong Kong, the version 埋单 (máidān) is heard.
How do you pronounce it?
mǎidān
Did you know?
- The character 账 in the formal 结账 contains the 'shell' radical, reflecting ancient times when shells were used as currency.
- In some contexts, 买单 is used as a metaphor for taking responsibility or 'footing the bill' for someone else's mistake.
- While 买单 is common in Mandarin, the Cantonese version 埋单 specifically uses a character meaning 'to bury' or 'to cover'.
Examples in context
- 我们要买单。Wǒmen yào mǎidān.We want to pay the bill.
- 请问，现在可以买单吗？Qǐngwèn, xiànzài kěyǐ mǎidān ma?Excuse me, can we settle the bill now?
Example conversation
Junjie and Jiayi are finishing their meal at a restaurant.
- 佳怡 Jiayi这里的菜非常好吃。Zhèlǐ de cài fēicháng hǎochī.The food here is delicious.
- 俊杰 Junjie是的，我也很喜欢。Shì de, wǒ yě hěn xǐhuān.Yes, I like it very much too.
- 俊杰 Junjie服务员，买单！Fúwùyuán, mǎidān!Waiter, check please!
- 佳怡 Jiayi这次由我来付钱。Zhè cì yóu wǒ lái fùqián.I will pay this time.
