Separate checks, please
in Spanish¿Nos trae cuentas separadas, por favor?
/nohs TRAH-eh KWEHN-tahs seh-pah-RAH-dahs por fah-VOR/
This is the most clear and direct way to ask a waiter for individual bills for each person or group at the table.
Using hand signals along with the phrase 'cuentas separadas' ensures clear communication in loud restaurants.
💬Other Ways to Say It
¿Podemos pagar por separado?
/poh-DEH-mohs pah-GAHR por seh-pah-RAH-doh/
Literally 'Can we pay separately?', this focuses on the action of paying rather than the physical paper bills. It is very common and natural.
¿Nos puede dividir la cuenta?
/nohs PWEH-deh dee-bee-DEER lah KWEHN-tah/
Means 'Can you split the bill for us?'. Be careful: this often implies splitting the total amount evenly (50/50), not necessarily itemizing who ate what.
Cada uno paga lo suyo
/KAH-dah OO-noh PAH-gah loh SOO-yoh/
Literally 'Each one pays their own'. This is a descriptive phrase used to clarify exactly how you want to pay.
¿Me cobra lo mío, por favor?
/meh KOH-brah loh MEE-oh por fah-VOR/
Means 'Charge me for mine, please'. Useful when you are leaving early or paying only for yourself while others stay.
Hacemos vaca
/ah-SEH-mohs BAH-kah/
Slang for pooling money together to pay a bill. It refers to 'making a cow' (pooling resources).
🔑Key Words
Key Words to learn:
📊Quick Comparison
Understanding the difference between splitting the total cost versus paying for individual items.
| Phrase | Meaning | Best For | Avoid When |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cuentas separadas | Standard | Strictly paying only for what you ate. | You want to split the total cost evenly. |
| Dividir la cuenta | Standard | Splitting the total cost evenly (e.g., 50/50). | One person ordered lobster and the other had a salad. |
| Yo invito | Friendly | Paying for everyone (treating them). | You are on a tight budget. |
📈Difficulty Level
Standard Spanish sounds; 'separadas' is long but phonetic.
Simple noun phrases or basic verb requests.
The concept of splitting bills varies by country and establishment type; it's not always the default.
Key Challenges:
- Knowing whether the restaurant allows itemized splitting
- Distinguishing between splitting the cost vs. separate checks
💡Examples in Action
Disculpe, ¿nos trae cuentas separadas, por favor?
Excuse me, could you bring us separate checks, please?
Antes de ordenar, queríamos saber si podemos pagar por separado.
Before ordering, we wanted to know if we can pay separately.
No te preocupes, cada uno paga lo suyo.
Don't worry, everyone is paying for their own.
¿Podemos dividir la cuenta en dos partes iguales?
Can we split the bill into two equal parts?
🌍Cultural Context
The 'All Together' Norm
In many Spanish-speaking countries, especially in traditional settings, it is assumed that one person will pay the whole bill (inviting the others) or that the bill will come as a single ticket. Itemized separate checks are much less common than in the US, and some smaller restaurants may not even have a POS system set up to split items easily.
Splitting vs. Itemizing
When you ask to split the bill (*dividir la cuenta*), the waiter will often assume you mean splitting the total amount evenly among the number of cards provided. If you need to pay specifically for what you ate (*cada uno lo suyo*), you must be very clear, as this takes more time and effort for the staff.
Table Etiquette
In business contexts or formal dates in Hispanic culture, splitting the bill can sometimes be seen as stingy or awkward. The host usually pays. However, among friends and younger generations, paying 'a la americana' (everyone pays their own share) is becoming completely normal.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Using 'Cheque' instead of 'Cuenta'
Mistake: "Saying 'El cheque, por favor' to ask for the bill."
Correction: La cuenta, por favor.
Assuming 'Dividir' means Itemized
Mistake: "Asking to 'dividir la cuenta' expecting the waiter to know who ate the steak and who ate the salad."
Correction: Cuentas separadas / Cada uno lo suyo.
💡Pro Tips
Ask Before You Order
Because POS systems in some regions aren't set up for easy splitting, the best pro-tip is to tell your waiter *before* you order: 'Vamos a pagar por separado' (We are going to pay separately). This allows them to organize the orders correctly from the start.
The Universal Hand Signal
If the restaurant is loud, you can make a signing motion with your hands (like you are writing on your palm) to ask for the check. To indicate separate checks, you can follow this by using your index fingers to make a 'cutting' or 'separating' motion in the air.
🗺️Regional Variations
Spain
'Pagar a escote' specifically means splitting the bill evenly among everyone, regardless of what each person ate. It is extremely common in social situations in Spain.
Mexico
In Mexico, service is very accommodating, and asking for 'cuentas separadas' is generally accepted in sit-down restaurants. In casual taco stands, you just tell the cashier what you had.
Argentina
Paying 'a la romana' means splitting the bill equally. It's a cultural institution for group dinners (asados or pizza).
💬What Comes Next?
The waiter asks if you want the bill together or separate
¿Todo junto o separado?
All together or separate?
Separado, por favor.
Separate, please.
The waiter confirms the split
¿En partes iguales?
In equal parts?
No, cada uno paga lo que pidió.
No, each person pays for what they ordered.
🧠Memory Tricks
The word 'Separado' looks almost exactly like 'Separated'. Imagine taking a pair of scissors and separating the long bill into smaller pieces.
🔄How It Differs from English
In the US, waiters often ask 'Together or separate?' automatically. In Spanish-speaking cultures, the default assumption is 'Together'. You must take the initiative to ask for separate checks, and doing so after the bill has already been printed can be a hassle for the staff.
False Friends & Common Confusions:
Why it's different: English speakers often say 'The check'. In Spanish, 'El cheque' usually refers to a bank check. The correct word for a restaurant bill is 'La cuenta'.
Use instead: La cuenta
🎯Your Learning Path
➡️ Learn Next:
How to ask for the bill in Spanish
You need to get the bill before you can ask to split it.
How to say tip in Spanish
Once you split the check, you need to know how to handle the gratuity.
How to say credit card in Spanish
You will likely need to tell the waiter how you are paying after splitting.
✏️Test Your Knowledge
💡 Quick Quiz: Separate checks, please
Question 1 of 3
You are at a restaurant with a friend. You ate a large steak and wine, but your friend only had a salad. You want to pay only for what you ate. Which phrase is best?
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it rude to ask for separate checks in Spanish?
It is not rude, but it is less common than in the US. In busy, inexpensive places, it might be seen as a hassle. It's always polite to ask '¿Se puede pagar por separado?' (Is it possible to pay separately?) rather than demanding it.
What if the waiter says they can't split the check?
If the system doesn't allow it, you might hear 'No se puede separar'. In this case, one person usually pays the full amount, and the others transfer money or pay that person back in cash.
What does 'A la americana' mean regarding bills?
'A la americana' (American style) is a phrase used in many Spanish-speaking countries to describe everyone paying their own share, as opposed to one person treating everyone.
Can I just say 'Separate'?
You can say 'Separado, por favor' if the waiter asks '¿Junto o separado?', but it's too abrupt to use as a full sentence on its own. It's better to use the full phrase 'Cuentas separadas, por favor'.
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