la cuenta
/la kwenta/from spelling rules
The English phrase "the bill" is translated into Spanish as la cuenta.
Use la cuenta specifically when asking for the total amount owed at a restaurant, cafe or shop.
Which one should you use?
While la cuenta refers to the bill in a restaurant, el recibo refers to a receipt provided after payment has been made.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In some Latin American countries like Mexico and Colombia, it is common to say ¿Me puede dar la cuenta, por favor?
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of the noun is las cuentas.
Did you know?
- The word cuenta can refer to a single 'bead' on a necklace or a rosary, referring to the way beads were originally used to count prayers or numbers.
- In some cultures, a gesture of drawing a small square or rectangle in the air with a pen is used to signal the waiter for la cuenta without speaking.
- While la cuenta is the bill, the word cuenta is also used in the phrase dar cuenta, which means 'to realize' or 'to become aware' of something.
Examples in context
- ¿Nos trae la cuenta, por favor?Could you bring us the bill, please?
- Ya pedimos la cuenta.We already asked for the bill.
- No me han traído la cuenta todavía.They haven't brought me the bill yet.
Example conversation
Alejandro and Sofía are finishing their dinner at a cafe.
- AlejandroSofía, ¿estás lista para irnos?Sofía, are you ready to leave?
- SofíaSí, pero primero necesito la cuenta.Yes, but first I need the bill.
- AlejandroYo llamaré al camarero para pedir la cuenta.I will call the waiter to ask for the bill.
- SofíaGracias, Alejandro.Thanks, Alejandro.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
