la cuenta
/la kwenta/from spelling rules
The English phrase "restaurant bill" is la cuenta in Spanish.
la cuenta refers to the printed list of food and drinks consumed at a restaurant and the total cost to be paid. Depending on the context, cuenta can also refer to a bank account.
Which one should you use?
While la cuenta is the standard term for a bill, the word can also mean a bank account depending on how it is used in a sentence.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Mexico, la nota is occasionally used instead of la cuenta to refer to the bill. In Argentina, a person might say mozo, la cuenta, por favor to mean "waiter, the bill, please".
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of the phrase is las cuentas. The diminutive form cuentita can be used to refer to a small or informal bill.
Did you know?
- The word cuenta can also refer to a 'bead' on a necklace or a rosary. This comes from the same root of 'counting' items one by one.
- While la cuenta is the bill, the act of paying it can involve invitar, which literally means 'to invite'. Saying Yo invito does not mean you are inviting someone to a party, but that you are paying the bill for everyone.
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, it is considered impolite to ask for la cuenta immediately after finishing a meal. Diners often linger to chat, as rushing the bill can signal a desire to hurry the staff or the company.
Examples in context
- Por favor, ¿me trae la cuenta?Could you please bring me the bill?
- Oye, ¿me traes la cuenta?Hey, could you bring me the bill?
- ¿Podemos dividir la cuenta, por favor?Could we split the bill, please?
- Cuando puedas, ¿me traes la cuenta?Whenever you can, could you bring me the bill?
- ¿Me trae la cuenta, por favor?Could you bring me the bill, please?
- ¿Nos trae la cuenta, por favor?Can you bring us the bill, please?
- La cuenta llegó demasiado alta.The bill arrived too high.
- Voy a pagar la cuenta.I am going to pay the bill.
Example conversation
María and Mateo are finishing their dinner at a restaurant.
- MaríaTodo estuvo delicioso, Mateo.Everything was delicious, Mateo.
- MateoSí, pidamos la cuenta ahora.Yes, let's ask for the bill now.
- MaríaYo pago la cuenta hoy.I'll pay the bill today.
- MateoMuchas gracias, María.Thank you very much, María.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
