我想买单
wǒ xiǎng mǎidān
In Chinese, "I want to pay" is expressed as 我想买单 (wǒ xiǎng mǎidān).
The phrase is used to tell a server that you would like to settle the bill for a meal or service. In many Chinese restaurants, you can simply call out 买单! to get a server's attention for the bill.
What does it mean word for word?
The term 买单 (mǎidān) literally means "to buy the bill/list".
Which one should you use?
Replacing 我想 with 我要 to say 我要买单 makes the request more direct and assertive. For a more formal request for the bill, you can use 请结账, which means "Please bring the bill."
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The term 买单 is a common, colloquial way to ask for the check in restaurants. If you need a formal way to say "I want to make payment", use 我想付款. In informal settings, you might say 我来付 to mean "I'll pay" or 我请客 to mean "It's my treat".
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Taiwanese Mandarin, the phrase 我要付钱 is commonly used to express "I want to pay".
How do you pronounce it?
wǒ xiǎng mǎidān
Did you know?
- When using 我请客 to say 'it is my treat', it is common for guests to engage in a friendly 'fight' over the bill to show generosity and respect.
- If you are paying for a large group, you might use the term 买单 as a signal to the server to bring the total sum for everyone rather than individual checks, which are rare in China.
- The word 单 in 买单 originally referred to a physical paper list or ledger, reflecting a time when bills were handwritten items held by the shopkeeper.
Examples in context
- 服务员，我想买单。Fúwùyuán, wǒ xiǎng mǎidān.Waiter, I want to pay.
- 请问，我想买单。Qǐngwèn, wǒ xiǎng mǎidān.Excuse me, I want to pay.
- 不好意思，我想买单。Bù hǎoyìsi, wǒ xiǎng mǎidān.Sorry, I want to pay the bill.
Example conversation
Xiaowen and Zhiqiang are finishing their meal at a restaurant.
- 晓雯 Xiaowen志强，我想买单。zhì qiáng, wǒ xiǎng mǎi dān.Zhiqiang, I want to pay.
- 志强 Zhiqiang不用，这次我来。bù yòng, zhè cì wǒ lái.No need, it's on me this time.
- 晓雯 Xiaowen真的吗？谢谢你！zhēn de ma? xiè xiè nǐ!Really? Thank you!
- 志强 Zhiqiang没关系，快走吧。méi guān xi, kuài zǒu ba.No problem, let's go.
