I would like to check out
in SpanishQuisiera hacer el check-out.
/kee-see-EH-rah ah-SEHR el check-out/
This is the most common, polite, and universally understood way to tell hotel staff you are ready to leave and settle your bill. The term 'check-out' is widely adopted from English in the global tourism industry.
Saying 'Quisiera hacer el check-out' is the perfect, polite way to begin the process of leaving your hotel.
💬Other Ways to Say It
Quisiera registrar mi salida.
/kee-see-EH-rah reh-hees-TRAR mee sah-LEE-dah/
This is a more traditionally Spanish way to say the same thing, literally meaning 'I would like to register my departure.' It's perfectly correct and sounds very polished.
Me gustaría hacer el check-out.
/meh goos-tah-REE-ah ah-SEHR el check-out/
'Me gustaría' is another extremely common and polite way to say 'I would like.' It's slightly less formal than 'Quisiera' but is perfect for almost any situation.
Vengo a dejar la habitación.
/VEN-go ah deh-HAR la ah-bee-tah-see-OHN/
This translates to 'I've come to leave the room.' It's a direct and clear way to state your purpose at the front desk.
Ya nos vamos. ¿Me da la cuenta, por favor?
/ya nohs VAH-mohs. meh dah lah KWEN-tah, por fah-VOR?/
A very practical and common phrase meaning 'We're leaving now. Can you give me the bill, please?' It combines the statement of departure with the request for the bill.
Quiero pagar.
/kee-EH-roh pah-GAR/
This means 'I want to pay.' While 'quisiera pagar' is more polite, this is used in the context of shopping, not typically for hotel checkout, as 'check out' in English can also mean 'pay at the register'.
Quisiera sacar estos libros.
/kee-see-EH-rah sah-CAR ES-tohs LEE-brohs/
This is how you 'check out' books from a library, literally 'I would like to take out these books.' This highlights how Spanish uses a specific verb for this context.
🔑Key Words
Key Words to learn:
📊Quick Comparison
The English phrase 'to check out' means different things. Here’s a comparison of how to say it in Spanish depending on the situation.
| Phrase | Formality | Best For | Avoid When |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quisiera hacer el check-out. | Formal | Checking out of a hotel in any situation. It's the safest and most polite option. | You are shopping or at a library; it's specific to lodging. |
| Vengo a dejar la habitación. | Neutral | A direct, efficient way to state your purpose at the hotel desk. | You want to sound extra formal; 'quisiera' is slightly more polished. |
| Quisiera pagar. | Neutral | Paying for goods at any kind of store or shop. | Checking out of a hotel, as it only covers payment, not the full departure process. |
| Quisiera sacar estos libros. | Neutral | Borrowing books from a library. | Any context outside of a library. |
📈Difficulty Level
Most words are phonetic for English speakers. 'Quisiera' (kee-see-EH-rah) might take a little practice, but is very manageable.
You can learn 'Quisiera' as a fixed polite phrase without needing to understand its complex grammatical origins (it's a past subjunctive form). This makes it easy to use correctly from day one.
The main nuance is understanding the importance of politeness ('Quisiera' vs. 'Quiero') and knowing that 'check out' in Spanish is not a catch-all term like in English.
Key Challenges:
- Remembering to use specific verbs for different contexts (hotel vs. shopping).
- Making 'Quisiera' your default for polite requests.
💡Examples in Action
Buenos días, quisiera hacer el check-out. La habitación es la 305.
Good morning, I would like to check out. The room is 305.
Hola, ya estamos listos para salir. ¿Podemos registrar nuestra salida?
Hi, we are ready to leave now. Can we register our departure?
Disculpe, ¿a qué hora es el check-out?
Excuse me, what time is check-out?
Perfecto, entonces ya dejamos la habitación. Aquí tiene la llave.
Perfect, so we are leaving the room now. Here is the key.
🌍Cultural Context
The Power of 'Quisiera'
'Quisiera' is your secret weapon for sounding polite in Spanish. It's a softer, more formal way of saying 'I want' ('quiero'). Using 'quisiera' for requests in hotels, restaurants, and shops instantly makes you sound more respectful and less demanding.
'Check-out' is Spanglish Gold
Don't be afraid to use the term 'check-out' in Spanish-speaking hotels. Due to the influence of international tourism, it has become a standard term. While 'registrar la salida' is more traditional, 'hacer el check-out' is perfectly normal and understood everywhere.
Checkout Times and Luggage
Checkout time ('la hora de salida') in many Spanish-speaking countries can be earlier than in the U.S., often around 11:00 AM or 12:00 PM. However, most hotels are happy to store your luggage ('guardar el equipaje') for free if you have a later flight.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Using 'Quiero' Instead of 'Quisiera'
Mistake: "Saying 'Quiero hacer el check-out.'"
Correction: Quisiera hacer el check-out.
Confusing Contexts for 'Check Out'
Mistake: "Saying 'Quisiera hacer el check-out' at a grocery store."
Correction: Quisiera pagar.
Literal Translation with 'Chequear'
Mistake: "Using the verb 'chequear' like 'Quisiera chequear mi salida.'"
Correction: Quisiera registrar mi salida.
💡Pro Tips
Have Your Room Number Ready
When you approach the desk, the first thing they'll ask is your room number ('el número de la habitación'). Having it ready makes the process smoother. You can say, 'Quisiera hacer el check-out de la habitación 402.'
Ask to Review the Bill
It's completely normal to ask to see the bill before paying. You can say, '¿Puedo ver la cuenta, por favor?' This is a good way to check for any minibar charges or other fees.
Combine with a Greeting
Always start with a polite greeting like 'Buenos días' (Good morning) or 'Hola, buenas tardes' (Hello, good afternoon). It sets a friendly tone for the interaction before you make your request.
🗺️Regional Variations
Universal (Tourism)
The English term 'check-out' is almost universally adopted in hotels across the Spanish-speaking world due to tourism. This makes the primary phrase extremely reliable wherever you travel.
Spain
While 'check-out' is common, you'll hear native phrases like 'dejar la habitación' (to leave the room) or 'hacer la salida' (to do the departure) frequently among Spanish speakers.
Mexico
In Mexico, 'entregar la habitación' (to hand over/deliver the room) is a common and clear alternative. The phrase 'retirarse' is a polite way to say you are leaving or departing.
Argentina
The core phrases are the same, but the intonation and 'sh' pronunciation are hallmarks of Argentinian Spanish. The use of 'vos' instead of 'tú' is standard, but won't affect this particular request.
💬What Comes Next?
After you say you want to check out.
¿Cuál es el número de su habitación?
What is your room number?
Es la [número], por ejemplo: Es la cuatrocientos dos (402).
It's [number], for example: It's four-oh-two.
While processing your bill.
¿Consumió algo del minibar?
Did you consume anything from the minibar?
No, nada, gracias. / Sí, una botella de agua.
No, nothing, thank you. / Yes, a bottle of water.
As you are finishing up.
¿Todo bien con su estancia?
Was everything okay with your stay?
Sí, todo excelente, muchas gracias.
Yes, everything was excellent, thank you very much.
🔄How It Differs from English
The biggest difference is that English uses the single phrasal verb 'to check out' for multiple unrelated actions: leaving a hotel, buying items at a store, borrowing a library book, or even looking at something/someone. Spanish requires a different, more specific verb for each context ('registrar salida', 'pagar', 'sacar', 'echar un vistazo'). This means you can't just translate 'check out' directly; you have to think about the situation first.
False Friends & Common Confusions:
Why it's different: English speakers often want to use 'chequear' as a direct translation for 'to check'. While it exists as a Spanglish verb, it's often not the best choice. For 'check out of a hotel,' it's incorrect.
Use instead: Use 'revisar' or 'verificar' for 'to check/verify something,' and 'registrar la salida' or 'hacer el check-out' for a hotel.
🎯Your Learning Path
➡️ Learn Next:
How to say 'I would like to check in'
This is the logical counterpart to checking out and essential for arriving at your hotel.
How to ask for the bill
The phrase 'La cuenta, por favor' is crucial for restaurants and cafes, and is related to settling your hotel bill.
How to ask 'What time is...?'
Learning to ask '¿A qué hora es el check-out?' is a practical application of asking for times, useful in many travel situations.
How to say 'Can you store my luggage?'
This is a very common follow-up question after checking out if you have a later flight or train.
✏️Test Your Knowledge
💡 Quick Quiz: I would like to check out
Question 1 of 3
You're at a hotel in Madrid and want to leave. What is the most polite and appropriate way to tell the person at the front desk?
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I just walk up to the desk and say 'Check-out'?
While they would probably understand you in a tourist-heavy area, it's considered impolite. Always use a full, polite phrase like 'Quisiera hacer el check-out, por favor.' Adding a greeting like 'Hola' or 'Buenos días' makes it even better.
What is the real difference between 'quiero' and 'quisiera'?
Think of 'quiero' as 'I want' and 'quisiera' as 'I would like.' 'Quiero' is for stating your own direct desires, often with friends or for things you are definitely getting (like ordering from a menu). 'Quisiera' is for making polite requests of others, and it's the gold standard in service situations.
How do I say 'I'm checking out' of a situation, like in English slang?
That's a figurative use that doesn't translate directly. To say you're leaving or disengaging from a situation, you'd use phrases like 'Me voy' (I'm leaving), 'Ya no participo' (I'm not participating anymore), or 'Paso de esto' (I'm over this/passing on this).
Is 'registrar mi salida' better than 'hacer el check-out'?
Neither is 'better,' they are just different. 'Hacer el check-out' is more common and universally understood due to English. 'Registrar mi salida' is more traditional Spanish and can make you sound a bit more fluent, but both are perfectly correct and polite.
What if I forget the phrase? What's the simplest thing I can say?
If you're in a pinch, you can simply walk to the desk, hand them your key, and say 'Para dejar la habitación, por favor' (To leave the room, please) or simply 'La cuenta, por favor' (The bill, please). They will understand your intention.
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