French · Real conversations
How to say “Could we have separate bills?” in French
Ask whether each diner can pay separately.
Est-ce qu'on peut payer séparément ?
Could we have separate bills?
The local expression may focus on separate payment rather than separate pieces of paper.
Use it in three situations
A meal with friends
Est-ce qu'on peut payer séparément ?
Could we have separate bills?
A work lunch
On pourrait payer séparément ?
Could we pay separately?
Clarifying payment
On pourrait partager l'addition entre trois personnes ?
Could we split the bill between three people?
What to watch for
Check the arrangement before payment rather than assuming every venue can split the bill.
Read the whole expression before replacing a detail. The natural wording may use a different order or construction from the English sentence.
Your turn
Imagine restaurant problems. Say this in French: Could we pay separately?
Reveal a sample reply
On pourrait payer séparément ?
Could we pay separately?
Build a useful exchange
Explain a problem with an order and settle the bill.
This expression in other languages
A note on speaking French
Use vous with strangers, staff, and people you address formally; use tu when that relationship is established. Je voudrais and pourriez-vous can make a request considerate. The most appropriate choice depends on the person and the situation.
Keep accents and apostrophes. A familiar spoken expression may differ from its literal English translation. Read the complete line, including the pronoun and the words that connect the request.
