You've just finished a fantastic meal in a Spanish-speaking country. The paellapaella was perfect, the vinowine was divine, and the conversation was sparkling. There's just one final hurdle between you and a post-dinner stroll: asking for the bill.
Don't let this simple task intimidate you! While it might feel like the final boss of your restaurant experience, it's actually super easy. This guide will walk you through the most common phrases, cultural etiquette, and even give you some interactive practice so you can handle it like a pro.
¡Vamos! (Let's go!)
The Golden Phrase: La Cuenta, Por Favor
If you only learn one phrase, make it this one. It's the universal, polite, and perfectly clear way to ask for the bill.
La cuentathe bill / the check, por favorplease.
It's simple, direct, and understood everywhere from Madrid to Mexico City. Let's break it down:
- La cuenta: The bill / The check
- Por favor: Please
Memorize this, and you'll never be stuck at a table again.
Getting Your Waiter's Attention
In many Spanish-speaking countries, it's considered rude for waitstaff to rush you. They won't bring the bill until you ask for it. To get their attention, try to make eye contact and give a slight nod or a small raise of your hand. Avoid shouting "¡Oiga!" or snapping your fingers. A simple, "Perdón" (Excuse me) when they are near is also perfect.
Level Up: More Ways to Ask for the Bill
Want to sound a bit more like a local? Here are a few other common and polite ways to ask.
Polite & Common Phrases
- ¿Nos trae la cuenta, por favor? - Can you bring us the bill, please? This is a lovely, slightly more complete sentence.
<VocabHighlight translation="can you bring us">Nos trae</VocabHighlight>is a friendly construction. Understanding how words likenoswork is a great next step, and you can learn more about indirect object pronouns like me, te, le, and nos in our grammar guide. - Cuando pueda, la cuenta. - When you can, the bill. This is a great, gentle way to ask without sounding demanding. It acknowledges that the waiter might be busy.
Let's see how a small change can make your request sound even more natural and polite.
Drag the handle to compare
The "Directo" version isn't necessarily rude, especially if said with a smile, but the "Amable" version is softer and more conversational.
Quick & Casual
- La cuenta, ¿por favor? - The check, please? Said with a questioning intonation, this is quick and easy.
- ¿Me cobras? - Can you charge me? This is more informal and common in Spain, especially at a bar or a more casual spot.
<VocabHighlight translation="you charge me">Me cobras</VocabHighlight>literally means "You charge me?"
Test Your Knowledge!
Ready for a quick check? Let's see if you've been paying attention.
You've finished your delicious tacos. What is the most universally understood phrase to ask for the bill?
Putting It All Together: A Mini-Dialogue
Let's see how this might play out in a real conversation. For more practice with dialogues like this, check out our A1 level short stories.
You: (Making eye contact with the waiter) Perdón.
Waiter: Sí, dígame. (Yes, tell me.)
You: Todo estuvo delicioso, gracias. Cuando pueda, ¿nos trae la cuenta?When you can, could you bring us the bill?
Waiter: Claro que sí. Enseguida. (Of course. Right away.)
See? Painless!
Practice Your Sentence Building
Now it's your turn to build a classic phrase. Drag the words into the correct order.
Arrange the words to form a correct sentence:
A Note on Vocabulary
You might hear different words for "waiter" depending on where you are. In Spain, camarero/a is most common. In Latin America, you'll often hear mesero/a or mozo/a. They all mean the same thing! Building your vocabulary for food and meals is a great way to feel more confident in any restaurant.
And that's it! You're now fully equipped to conquer the final step of any dining experience in Spanish. You've gone from simply knowing the words to understanding the context and feeling confident.
So go out there, order that extra dessert, and when you're ready, ask for la cuenta with a smile. ¡Buen provecho!