ich möchte bezahlen
/ɪç ˈmœç.tʰə bəˈtsaːlən/word by word
In German, "I want to pay" is expressed as ich möchte bezahlen.
This phrase is used to inform a server or a cashier that you are ready to pay your bill.
Which one should you use?
A very common and natural alternative to using the full phrase ich möchte bezahlen is to simply say Die Rechnung, bitte, which means "The bill, please".
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase ich möchte bezahlen is considered a polite construction as it utilizes the subjunctive form of the verb mögen.
How do you pronounce it?
/ɪç ˈmœç.tʰə bəˈtsaːlən/. The stressed syllable is the 2nd of 4.
When do people say it?
When you express your desire to pay in a restaurant, the server will often respond with Zusammen oder getrennt?, which means "Together or separately?", asking if you are paying together or separately.
Did you know?
- While ich möchte bezahlen is polite, you can signal you are ready to pay simply by catching the server's eye and making a writing motion in the air with your hand.
- In Germany, it is common to tell the server the exact amount you wish to pay including the tip, rather than leaving the tip on the table after saying ich möchte bezahlen.
- If you want to pay the bill for everyone, you can say Ich lade euch ein, which literally means 'I invite you' but functions as 'it is my treat'.
Examples in context
- Ich möchte zahlen, bitte.I would like to pay, please.
- Könnte ich bitte die Rechnung haben?Could I have the bill, please?
- Ich will zahlen.I want to pay.
- Gib mir bitte die Rechnung.Please give me the bill.
- Könnten wir bitte die Rechnung bekommen?Could we please have the bill?
- Ich möchte nur meinen Anteil bezahlen.I only want to pay my share.
- Ich möchte bezahlen, bitte.I want to pay, please.
- Wir sind fertig und ich möchte bezahlen.We are finished and I want to pay.
Example conversation
Julian and Julia are at a small cafe and have finished their coffee.
- JulianEntschuldigung, ich möchte bezahlen.Excuse me, I want to pay.
- JuliaGerne. Zahlen Sie zusammen oder getrennt?Gladly. Are you paying together or separately?
- JulianWir zahlen zusammen.We are paying together.
- JuliaDas macht dann zwölf Euro.That will be twelve euros.
