The bill, please
in SpanishLa cuenta, por favor
/lah KWEHN-tah, por fah-VOR/
This is the gold standard—it works in every Spanish-speaking country, in every type of restaurant, from taco stands to 5-star dining. It is polite, clear, and universally understood.
The 'air signature' gesture is the most common non-verbal way to ask for the bill in Spanish-speaking countries.
💬Other Ways to Say It
¿Me cobra, por favor?
/meh KOH-brah, por fah-VOR/
Literally 'Will you charge me, please?', this is extremely common in Latin America. It focuses on the action of paying rather than the physical bill.
¿Me trae la cuenta?
/meh TRAH-eh lah KWEHN-tah/
Meaning 'Can you bring me the bill?', this is a complete sentence that sounds very polite and proper.
¿Cuánto es?
/KWAN-toh ehs/
Short for 'How much is it?' Use this in places where there isn't a printed bill to bring to the table.
¿Nos trae la cuenta?
/nohs TRAH-eh lah KWEHN-tah/
The plural version: 'Can you bring US the bill?'
¿Me regala la cuenta?
/meh reh-GAH-lah lah KWEHN-tah/
Literally 'Gift me the bill.' It sounds strange to English speakers, but in Colombia and parts of Central America, 'regalar' is used as a very polite way to ask for anything.
La dolorosa
/lah doh-loh-ROH-sah/
Slang meaning 'the painful one.' It's a dad-joke way of asking for the check.
[The Hand Gesture]
/(Silent)/
Making eye contact and scribbling in the air (as if signing a check) is universally understood and acceptable in busy restaurants.
🔑Key Words
Key Words to learn:
📊Quick Comparison
Different ways to ask based on who you are talking to and where you are.
| Phrase | Formality | Best For | Avoid When |
|---|---|---|---|
| La cuenta, por favor | Neutral/Polite | Any situation (Universal) | N/A - Always safe |
| ¿Me cobra? | Standard | Mexico/LatAm, quick service | In a very formal luxury dining setting |
| ¿Cuánto es? | Casual | Street food, markets, taxis | Sit-down restaurants with printed bills |
📈Difficulty Level
Very easy. The 'ue' in 'cuenta' sounds like 'weh' (like 'wet').
It's just a noun phrase. No complex verb conjugation is needed if you use the standard version.
The language is easy, but the timing (you must ask for it) is the cultural hurdle for English speakers.
Key Challenges:
- Overcoming the fear of waving at the waiter
- Remembering not to say 'cheque' or 'billete'
💡Examples in Action
Mesero, la cuenta por favor.
Waiter, the bill please.
Disculpe, ¿me puede cobrar?
Excuse me, can you charge me? (I'm ready to pay).
¿Cuánto le debo por los tacos?
How much do I owe you for the tacos?
Estamos listos. ¿Nos trae la cuenta cuando pueda?
We are ready. Can you bring us the bill when you can?
🌍Cultural Context
The Waiter Will Not Bring It Automatically
In the US, a waiter brings the check when it looks like you're done. In Spain and Latin America, this is considered rude—it implies they are rushing you out. You can sit for hours after eating. You MUST ask for the bill, or you will wait forever.
Table Service Payment
In many Spanish-speaking countries (especially Europe and modern Latin American cities), the waiter will bring a portable card machine ('datáfono') to your table. You rarely take the bill to a register at the front unless it's a very casual cafe.
La Propina (Tipping)
Tipping culture is different. In Spain, leaving small change or rounding up is common. In Mexico and much of Latin America, 10% is standard (sometimes 15% for excellent service), but the US-style 20-25% is not expected.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Asking for 'El billete'
Mistake: "Saying 'El billete, por favor.'"
Correction: La cuenta, por favor.
Using 'Cheque'
Mistake: "Saying 'El cheque, por favor.'"
Correction: La cuenta, por favor.
Being too shy to signal
Mistake: "Waiting silently for the waiter to notice you want to pay."
Correction: Make eye contact and raise your hand or use the 'signing' gesture.
💡Pro Tips
The Universal Hand Gesture
If the restaurant is loud or the waiter is far away, make eye contact, raise your hand, and pretend to write on your other palm with an invisible pen. This is universally understood as 'check, please' and is perfectly polite.
Check if tip is included
Before adding a tip, look for 'servicio incluido' (service included) or 'propina sugerida' (suggested tip) on the bill. In some tourist areas, they might have already added it.
Asking about cards first
In smaller towns or street stands, ask '¿Aceptan tarjeta?' (Do you accept cards?) before ordering. Cash (efectivo) is still king in many local spots.
🗺️Regional Variations
Mexico
Mexicans are very polite. Adding 'por favor' is essential. '¿Me cobra?' is extremely common in casual to mid-range places.
Spain
Service is efficient but direct. You can often just say '¡Me cobras!' to a passing waiter in a busy tapas bar. Tipping is much lower here than in the Americas.
Colombia
Colombians use 'regalar' (to gift) for requests. They aren't asking for a free meal; it's just a polite softener used for everything from water to the bill.
💬What Comes Next?
The waiter asks how you want to pay
¿Va a pagar con tarjeta o efectivo?
Are you paying with card or cash?
Con tarjeta, por favor.
With card, please.
You want to split the bill
¿Todo junto?
All together?
No, cuentas separadas, por favor.
No, separate checks, please.
🧠Memory Tricks
The word 'Cuenta' looks and sounds like 'Count'. When you ask for the bill, you are asking them to 'count' up what you owe.
🔄How It Differs from English
The biggest difference is social, not linguistic. In English, 'Can I have the check?' is a request for an object. In Spanish, variations like '¿Me cobra?' (Charge me) focus on the action/transaction. Also, Spanish speakers are comfortable with direct commands softened by tone, whereas English speakers prefer indirect questions ('Could I possibly...').
False Friends & Common Confusions:
Why it's different: Translating this to 'Cheque' refers to a bank check.
Use instead: Use 'Cuenta' (account/count).
Why it's different: In some countries 'tiquet' exists, but usually refers to a transport ticket or receipt, not the bill itself.
Use instead: Use 'Cuenta'.
🎯Your Learning Path
➡️ Learn Next:
How to say tip in Spanish
Once you get the bill, you'll need to know how to handle the tip ('la propina').
How to say do you accept credit cards
Critical follow-up question if you don't have cash.
How to order food in Spanish
Master the start of the meal now that you know the end.
✏️Test Your Knowledge
💡 Quick Quiz: The bill, please
Question 1 of 3
You have finished your meal, but the waiter hasn't brought the check after 20 minutes. What should you do?
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it rude to wave at the waiter in Spain or Mexico?
A small wave or raising your hand to catch their eye is not rude; it's necessary. However, snapping your fingers, whistling, or yelling across the room is considered very rude. The 'air signing' gesture is perfectly polite.
What is the difference between 'la cuenta' and 'la nota'?
'La cuenta' is the universal word for the bill. 'La nota' is used in some regions (like parts of Mexico) to refer to the receipt or the written total, but 'la cuenta' is safer and understood everywhere.
Do I say 'la cuenta' if I'm just buying a coffee?
If you are at a sit-down cafe, yes. If you are ordering at a counter to take away, you would usually just ask '¿Cuánto es?' (How much is it?) or '¿Me cobras?' (Charge me).
Should I say 'check' or 'bill' in Spanish?
Neither. You should say 'la cuenta'. If you say 'check' (cheque), they might think you want to pay using a bank check. If you say 'bill' (billete), they might think you are talking about paper money.
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