AA制
AA zhì
To split the bill in Chinese is AA制 (AA zhì).
AA制 is the most common way to suggest splitting the bill equally in modern, casual Chinese settings. It is used to describe the act of dividing the cost of a meal or service equally among the people who shared it.
What does it mean word for word?
The term AA制 literally means AA system, where AA is a loan-concept used to represent splitting costs equally.
Which one should you use?
While AA制 refers to the method of splitting the cost, the term 买单 (mǎidān) refers to the act of settling the bill itself.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Mandarin, you can use 麻煩各位算一算。 to mean 'Everyone, please calculate your own share.'
How does it change in a sentence?
The term AA制 functions as a noun or a verb phrase. It can be preceded by the verb 进行 (to carry out) or used directly with the particle 吧 to make a suggestion.
How do you pronounce it?
AA zhì
Did you know?
- In traditional Chinese social culture, the custom of 抢单 involves guests competing and physically rushing to pay the entire bill. This competitive generosity is the cultural opposite of AA制.
- The term AA制 does not derive from an English phrase like 'Account' or 'Agreement'. Instead, each 'A' represents an individual person, imagining two 'A's sitting at a table.
- In many traditional Chinese social circles, suggesting AA制 can sometimes be perceived as being 'too polite' or even slightly distant, as paying for others is a common way to build 'guanxi' or social connections.
Examples in context
- 今天我们AA制吧。Let's split the bill today.This sentence is useful for suggesting that you split the bill today using AA制.Tatoeba #2660869 by egg0073, translation #1230043 by CK
- 咱们AA制吧。Let's split the bill.This sentence is useful for suggesting to split the bill using AA制.Tatoeba #1977219 by olyalya, translation #502357 by momomonkey
- 今天的账单我们AA制吧。Let's split the bill equally today.
- 麻烦各位算一算。Everyone, please calculate your own share.
- 这次吃饭我们AA制吧。Zhè cì chīfàn wǒmen AA zhì ba.Let's split the bill for this meal.
Example conversation
Two friends are finishing a meal at a cafe.
- 俊杰 Junjie今天的咖啡太好喝了。Jīntiān de kāfēi tài hǎohē le.The coffee today was delicious.
- 雨婷 Yuting是啊，我们要AA制吗？Shì a, wǒmen yào AA zhì ma?Yes, should we split the bill?
- 俊杰 Junjie好的，我来扫码付款。Hǎo de, wǒ lái sǎo mǎ fùkuǎn.Okay, I'll scan the code to pay.
- 雨婷 Yuting没问题，我马上转账给你。Méi wèntí, wǒ mǎshàng zhuǎnzhàng gěi nǐ.No problem, I'll transfer the money to you right away.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries AA制, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
