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How to Say "bill" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “bill” is “cuenta” — use 'cuenta' when you are asking for the total amount of money you owe at a restaurant, bar, or for a service..

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cuenta

/KWEN-tah//ˈkwenta/

nounA1general
Use 'cuenta' when you are asking for the total amount of money you owe at a restaurant, bar, or for a service.
A small stack of coins and paper money next to a folded restaurant bill on a cafe table.

Examples

La cuenta, por favor.

The bill, please.

La cuenta de la luz es muy alta este mes.

The electricity bill is very high this month.

Pagamos la cuenta a medias.

We split the bill.

billete

bee-YEH-teh/biˈʎe.te/

nounA1general
Use 'billete' to refer to paper money, like a dollar bill or a euro bill.
A single, stylized green paper banknote featuring a simple portrait illustration, representing paper money.

Examples

Perdí un billete de diez euros en la calle.

I lost a ten-euro banknote on the street.

¿Tienes cambio para un billete de cincuenta?

Do you have change for a fifty-bill?

Prefiero pagar con tarjeta que con billetes.

I prefer to pay by card rather than with cash/bills.

Gender Rule

Since 'billete' ends in '-e', it is masculine, so you must use 'el' or 'un' before it.

Mixing up bills and coins

Mistake: “Dame una billete.”

Correction: Dame un billete. (Remember 'billete' is masculine, and 'moneda' is used for coins.)

recibo

reh-SEE-boh/reˈsiβo/

nounA2general
Use 'recibo' for a document proving a payment has been made, such as for utilities or a purchase.
A small, rectangular slip of paper meant to represent a receipt, featuring faint abstract markings instead of readable text, lying on a colorful table.

Examples

¿Puede darme el recibo de esta compra?

Can you give me the receipt for this purchase?

Necesito pagar el recibo del agua antes del viernes.

I need to pay the water bill before Friday.

Guarda todos los recibos para la declaración de impuestos.

Keep all the receipts for the tax declaration.

Gender Check

Since 'recibo' ends in -o, it is a masculine noun. Always use 'el' or 'un' before it: 'el recibo' (the receipt).

Using 'Factura' vs. 'Recibo'

Mistake: “Using 'factura' when you mean a simple store receipt.”

Correction: 'Recibo' is the general word for the proof of payment you get at a store. 'Factura' is usually a more formal, detailed invoice, often used for business expenses.

factura

fak-TOO-ra/fakˈtu.ɾa/

nounA1formal
Use 'factura' for an official invoice, typically for goods or services rendered, often used in business contexts.
A stylized white paper document, folded neatly, lying next to a small stack of shiny gold coins, symbolizing payment due.

Examples

¿Podría enviarme la factura por correo electrónico?

Could you send me the invoice by email?

Tenemos que pagar la factura de la luz antes del viernes.

We have to pay the electricity bill before Friday.

El restaurante olvidó incluir la propina en la factura.

The restaurant forgot to include the tip on the bill.

Always Feminine

Since 'factura' ends in '-a' and refers to a thing, it is always feminine. Remember to use 'la' or 'una' before it.

Invoice vs. Receipt

Mistake: “Using 'factura' when you mean 'receipt' after paying.”

Correction: 'Factura' is the request for payment. 'Recibo' is the document proving you already paid.

nota

NOH-tah/ˈno.ta/

nounB1informal
Use 'nota' as a less common, more informal synonym for 'billete' when referring to paper currency.
A single green piece of folded paper currency resting flat on a table, representing a banknote.

Examples

El cajero me dio una nota de veinte dólares.

The cashier gave me a twenty-dollar bill.

La nota de portada en el diario habla de la crisis.

The front-page report in the newspaper talks about the crisis.

pico

/PEE-koh//ˈpiko/

nounA1general
Use 'pico' to refer to the beak of a bird, completely unrelated to any meaning of the English word 'bill'.
A close-up illustration of a colorful bird's head, focusing on its prominent, sharp yellow beak.

Examples

El pájaro alimentó a sus crías con su pico.

The bird fed its young with its beak.

Ten cuidado, el loro tiene un pico muy fuerte.

Be careful, the parrot has a very strong beak.

Masculine Noun

Remember that 'pico' is a masculine noun, so you must always use 'el' or 'un' before it.

Confusing 'Cuenta' and 'Factura'

The most common mistake is using 'cuenta' when you need a formal 'factura' (invoice), or vice versa. Remember, 'cuenta' is for immediate payment (like at a restaurant), while 'factura' is a formal document for services or goods, often for record-keeping or business.

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