お会計をお願いします
okaikei o onegaishimasu
In Japanese, "I would like to pay" is expressed as お会計をお願いします (okaikei o onegaishimasu).
This phrase is used when you are ready to settle the bill, typically by catching the attention of a staff member.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of お会計 (the bill/account) and お願いします (please/I request it).
Which one should you use?
Using just 勘定 (account/bill) followed by a sharp exclamation is much more blunt and less polite than the default form.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
お会計をお願いします is a standard, polite way to ask for the bill in a restaurant setting. For a formal setting, you can use お支払いさせていただきたいと思います。 In contrast, if you are in an informal setting, you might say 支払いをしたいんだけど。 to mean "I want to pay, but…", or お金、出すよ。 to mean "I will pay."
How do you pronounce it?
okaikei o onegaishimasu
Did you know?
- When paying, it is a common custom to place your money or card on a small tray provided by the staff rather than handing it directly to the person.
- When paying at a register, it is common practice to use both hands to present your credit card or cash to the staff as a sign of respect.
- The phrase 勘定 (kanjou), which is a more blunt way to say 'bill', is also the exact same word used in mathematics to mean 'calculation' or 'arithmetic'.
Examples in context
- お会計をお願いします。Okaikei o onegaishimasu.I would like to pay, please.
- 別々でお会計をお願いします。Betsubetsu de okaikei o onegaishimasu.I would like to pay separately, please.
Example conversation
Ren and Himari are finishing a meal at a restaurant.
- 蓮 Renお腹いっぱいだね。onaka ippai dane.I'm full, aren't you?
- 陽葵 Himari本当においしかったね。honto ni oishikatta ne.It was really delicious.
- 蓮 Renすみません、お会計をお願いします。sumimasen, okaikei o onegaishimasu.Excuse me, I would like to pay.
- 陽葵 Himariあ、私が払うよ。a, watashi ga harau yo.Oh, I will pay.
