Spanish · Food & Drink
"Bill (check)" in Spanish: cuenta
la cuenta
The bill or check is la cuenta (KWEN-tah), a feminine noun: la cuenta, por favor. At the end of a meal you ask for la cuenta, not an English "bill".
How to pronounce cuenta: audio and sound guideAfter dessert
La cuenta, por favor.Speak with an AI partner · 7 days free
How to pronounce cuenta
Say it
KWEN-tah
/ˈkwen.ta/
KWEN-tah, stress on KWEN. The ue is one syllable. Hard k starts cuenta.
"Bill (check)" in Spanish: quick reference
| Spanish | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| la cuenta | the bill; the check What you ask for after eating. | What you ask for after eating. |
| la cuenta, por favor | the check, please Standard polite request. | Standard polite request. |
| separar la cuenta | to split the bill Ask to pay separately. | Ask to pay separately. |
| pagar la cuenta | to pay the bill Settling up. | Settling up. |
How to use cuenta in real life
- 1After dessert
La cuenta, por favor.
The check, please.
Short classic ask for la cuenta.
- 2Splitting payment
¿Pueden separar la cuenta?
Can you split the bill?
Separar la cuenta helps when paying apart.
- 3Checking the total
Creo que la cuenta está mal.
I think the bill is wrong.
Calm way to question la cuenta.
Mistakes English speakers make with cuenta
Incorrect: El cuenta, por favor.
Correct: La cuenta, por favor.
Cuenta is feminine: la cuenta.
Incorrect: Tráigame el bill.
Correct: Tráigame la cuenta.
Restaurant Spanish uses cuenta, not English bill.
Good to know
Good to knowLa cuenta is the restaurant check. Cuenta also means a bank account, so context matters. A simple la cuenta, por favor works almost everywhere.
Try it in a ChatPal conversation
Finishing lunch and paying
ChatPal
¿Pedimos ya la cuenta?
Shall we ask for the check already?
You
Sí. La cuenta, por favor.
Yes. The check, please.
ChatPal
¿Pagamos juntos la cuenta?
Shall we pay the bill together?
You
Mejor la separamos.
Better if we split it.
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 Spanish
Is cuenta masculine or feminine?
Feminine: la cuenta, una cuenta larga.
How do I ask for the check?
La cuenta, por favor.
How do I split the bill?
¿Pueden separar la cuenta?
Does cuenta only mean the restaurant bill?
No. Cuenta also means account. At the table it means the check.
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