When visiting Japan or interacting with Japanese speakers, knowing how to say “pay the bill” can come in handy. In this guide, we’ll provide you with formal and informal ways to express this phrase, along with some tips, examples, and regional variations where applicable. So, let’s dive in!
Table of Contents
Formal Ways to Say “Pay the Bill”
If you find yourself in a formal setting or want to maintain a respectful tone, here are a few phrases you can use to say “pay the bill” in Japanese:
- お会計をお願いします (Okaikei wo onegaishimasu)
This phrase is commonly used in restaurants or stores to politely request the bill. It’s important to note that “onegaishimasu” adds a sense of politeness and respect to the sentence.
お勘定をお願いします (Okanjou wo onegaishimasu)
Similar to the previous phrase, this alternative is frequently used in formal settings when asking for the bill. Keep in mind that “okanjou” is a more sophisticated word for “bill”.
Informal Ways to Say “Pay the Bill”
While formal phrases are suitable for many situations, here are a couple of informal expressions you can use among friends or in casual settings:
- お会計をお願い (Okaikei wo onegai)
This phrase is a shortened version of the formal “お会計をお願いします”. It maintains a level of politeness while sounding more casual.
勘定をお願い (Kanjou wo onegai)
Similar to the previous example, this is a casual way of asking for the bill among acquaintances or in laid-back establishments.
Tips for Using the Phrases
Here are a few tips to keep in mind when using these phrases:
- Always use a polite tone and add “お願いします (onegaishimasu)” or “お願い (onegai)” at the end of the sentence to enhance politeness.
- Along with the phrases mentioned, you can also use gestures like holding up your hand to mimic signing a check, which helps convey your request.
- When receiving the bill, it is customary to say “ありがとうございます (arigatou gozaimasu)” meaning “thank you” to show gratitude towards the staff.
- If you’re unsure about the bill’s details, you can ask for clarification by saying “領収書をいただけますか (Ryoushuusho wo itadakemasu ka)” which means “Can I have a receipt, please?”
Example Conversations
Let’s take a look at a few example conversations to better understand how to use these phrases:
Formal Conversation:
A: すみません、お会計をお願いします。
B: はい、お会計ですね。少々お待ちください。
(スタッフが会計を持ってきます)
B: こちらがお会計です。
A: ありがとうございます。
(お金を支払い、店を出る)
Informal Conversation:
A: お会計をお願い。
B: おっけー、ちょっと待ってね。
(スタッフが会計を持ってきます)
B: これがお会計。
A: ありがとー。
(お金を支払い、店を出る)
Regional Variations
While the phrases mentioned earlier are widely used throughout Japan, you might encounter some regional variations. Here are a couple of examples:
- お勘定をお持ちします (Okanjou wo omochi shimasu)
This phrase is more commonly heard in the Kansai region, which includes cities like Osaka and Kyoto. The addition of “omochi shimasu” shows a local touch.
頂戴いたします (Choudai itashimasu)
In some regions, such as Hokkaido, you might come across this phrase, which follows the local dialect. “Choudai itashimasu” is an alternative way to express “please” when asking for the bill.
Now armed with these phrases, you’ll be able to confidently ask for the bill in any situation in Japan. Remember to adapt your language based on the formality of the setting and enjoy your interactions with Japanese speakers!
