payer l'addition
To pay the bill in French is payer l'addition.
The phrase payer l'addition is used specifically when you are paying for a meal or drinks at a restaurant or cafe.
Which one should you use?
In French, there is a distinction between types of bills. While la facture also translates to 'the bill', it is used for commercial invoices such as those for electricity or rent. In contrast, l'addition is the specific term reserved for restaurants and cafes.
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb payer is a regular '-er' verb.
When do people say it?
When you are actually in a restaurant and want to request your bill, it is much more common and natural to simply say l'addition, s'il vous plaît rather than using the full verb phrase payer l'addition.
Did you know?
- The verb payer comes from the Latin word pacāre, which means 'to pacify'. This implies that paying a debt was originally seen as a way to bring peace between two parties.
- While payer l'addition is the standard term, the phrase régler l'addition is often used in more formal settings. The verb régler literally means 'to adjust' or 'to settle', implying a formal resolution of a debt.
- In France, it is often considered impolite to ask for l'addition immediately after finishing a meal. Waiting a few minutes shows the host that you enjoyed the experience and were not rushing to leave.
Examples in context
- Qui va payer l'addition ?Who'll pay the bill?This sentence is useful for asking who will be responsible for the bill using payer l'addition.Tatoeba #1070951 by sacredceltic, translation #2315182 by CK
- C'est toi qui devrais payer l'addition.You're the one who should pay the bill.This sentence is useful for expressing that someone is the one who should use payer l'addition.Tatoeba #6556249 by Aiji, translation #2955035 by CK
- Tom sortit son portefeuille pour payer l'addition.Tom took out his wallet to pay the bill.This sentence is useful for describing the action of taking out a wallet to payer l'addition.Tatoeba #5803000 by Toynop, translation #3734360 by CK
- L'addition, s'il vous plaît.The bill, please.
- Pouvez-vous me donner l'addition, s'il vous plaît?Can you give me the bill, please?
- Est-ce que je peux régler l'addition, s'il vous plaît?May I pay the bill, please?
- Je voudrais payer, s'il vous plaît.I would like to pay, please.
- Tu peux m'apporter l'addition, s'il te plaît?Can you bring me the bill, please?
- Je règle ça.I'll pay for this.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
At a small cafe after finishing lunch.
- LucasJe vais payer l'addition.I am going to pay the bill.
- ChloéNon, c'est mon tour !No, it is my turn!
- LucasTu es très généreuse, Chloé.You are very generous, Chloé.
- ChloéC'est avec plaisir.It is my pleasure.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries payer, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
