French · Food & Drink
"Bill (check)" in French: addition
l'addition
The restaurant bill in French is l'addition, feminine: l'addition, s'il vous plaît. Une note exists too, but addition is the classic café/restaurant ask.
End of meal
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How to pronounce addition
Say it
lah-dee-SYOHN
/a.di.sjɔ̃/
Addition: ah-dee-SYOHN. With article: lah-dee-SYOHN. Soft ss like s.
"Bill (check)" in French: quick reference
| French | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| l'addition | the bill / check Restaurants and cafés. | Restaurants and cafés. |
| l'addition, s'il vous plaît | the check, please Polite request. | Polite request. |
| payer l'addition | to pay the bill End of meal. | End of meal. |
| la note | the bill / tab Also used. | Also used. |
How to use addition in real life
- 1End of meal
On peut avoir l'addition, s'il te plaît ?
Can we have the bill, please?
L'addition.
- 2Splitting
Tu veux partager l'addition en deux ?
Want to split the bill in two?
Partager l'addition.
- 3Surprise
L'addition est plus salée que prévu.
The bill is steeper than expected.
L'addition est…
Mistakes English speakers make with addition
Incorrect: Le addition, please.
Correct: L'addition, s'il vous plaît.
Feminine with elision: l'addition.
Incorrect: Apportez le bill.
Correct: Apportez l'addition.
Use addition, not English bill.
Good to know
Service is often compris; you still ask explicitly for l'addition — it rarely comes unbidden. Card machines at the table are common now.
Try it in a ChatPal conversation
Wrapping up dinner
ChatPal
Je demande l'addition ?
Shall I ask for the bill?
You
Oui, l'addition pour nous deux.
Yes — the bill for the two of us.
ChatPal
L'addition est déjà sur la table.
The bill is already on the table.
You
Je paie par carte.
I'll pay by card.
This is a sample. In ChatPal you have this conversation out loud and get feedback on what you say.
Practice this conversation in ChatPal"Bill (check)" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "Bill (check)" in French
How do you say the bill in French?
L'addition (feminine).
How do you ask for the check?
L'addition, s'il vous plaît.
Addition or note?
Both work; addition is the classic restaurant word.
How do you pronounce addition?
ah-dee-SYOHN; l'addition ≈ lah-dee-SYOHN.
Learn a word, then use it out loud
- Step 1: See it in context
- Step 2: Say it out loud
- Step 3: Get feedback
- Step 4: Use it in real scenarios
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