Spanish · Real conversations
Restaurant problems: Spanish conversation practice
Explain a problem with an order and settle the bill. Read the exchange, reveal the translations when you need them, then try your part before looking at the sample answers.
A2 · Read and rehearse
Your role: A diner speaking politely to restaurant staff.
Goal: Explain a problem with an order and settle the bill.
Read the conversation
Partner
Aquí tiene su plato de pollo.
Show English translation
Here is your chicken dish.
You
Esto no es lo que pedí.
Show English translation
This isn't what I ordered.
Partner
Disculpe. Voy a revisar su pedido. ¿Ya quieren elegir el postre?
Show English translation
I'm sorry. I'll check your order. Are you ready to choose dessert?
You
¿Nos da unos minutos más?
Show English translation
Could we have a few more minutes?
Partner
Claro. ¿Cómo desean pagar?
Show English translation
Of course. How would you like to pay?
You
¿Podemos pagar por separado?
Show English translation
Could we have separate bills?
Partner
Claro. ¿Ya llegó todo lo demás?
Show English translation
Certainly. Has everything else arrived?
You
Todavía no nos han traído las bebidas.
Show English translation
We haven't received our drinks yet.
Partner
Las traigo ahora. Aquí están sus cuentas.
Show English translation
I'll bring them now. Here are your bills.
You
Creo que hay un error en la cuenta.
Show English translation
I think there's a mistake on the bill.
Try your part first
Partner says: Here is your chicken dish. Your goal: This isn't what I ordered.
Reveal a sample reply
Esto no es lo que pedí.
This isn't what I ordered.
Partner says: I'm sorry. I'll check your order. Are you ready to choose dessert? Your goal: Could we have a few more minutes?
Reveal a sample reply
¿Nos da unos minutos más?
Could we have a few more minutes?
Partner says: Of course. How would you like to pay? Your goal: Could we have separate bills?
Reveal a sample reply
¿Podemos pagar por separado?
Could we have separate bills?
Partner says: Certainly. Has everything else arrived? Your goal: We haven't received our drinks yet.
Reveal a sample reply
Todavía no nos han traído las bebidas.
We haven't received our drinks yet.
Partner says: I'll bring them now. Here are your bills. Your goal: I think there's a mistake on the bill.
Reveal a sample reply
Creo que hay un error en la cuenta.
I think there's a mistake on the bill.
Make it your own
- A different dish is missing.
- Ask for a shared bill.
- Explain a different bill error.
Keep the useful expression and change the detail. There can be several appropriate answers; the revealed replies are examples to learn from.
This rehearsal in other languages
A note on speaking Spanish
These guides use broadly understandable Latin American Spanish. Tú is familiar and usted is respectful or formal, with important regional variation. Me gustaría and ¿podría …? are useful for considerate requests.
Keep accent marks and opening question marks. Some regions choose different everyday words. Follow the complete example rather than substituting English words one by one, especially with pronouns and expressions of preference.
