Spanish · Food & Drink
"The check, please" in Spanish: la cuenta, por favor
la cuenta, por favor
The check, please is la cuenta, por favor. Cuenta is feminine: la cuenta, la cuenta separada. You can also wave slightly and say ¿Me trae la cuenta? when the waiter is nearby.
End of dinner
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How to pronounce la cuenta, por favor
Say it
lah KWEHN-tah por fah-VOR
/la ˈkwen.ta poɾ faˈβoɾ/
lah KWEHN-tah, por fah-VOR. Stress KWEHN in cuenta. Soft c + ue in cuenta sounds like kw for many English speakers.
"The check, please" in Spanish: quick reference
| Spanish | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| la cuenta, por favor | the check, please Default polite ask. | Default polite ask. |
| ¿Me trae la cuenta? | Could you bring the check? When the server is close. | When the server is close. |
| la cuenta separada | separate checks Split the bill. | Split the bill. |
| ¿Nos cobra, por favor? | Could you charge us / ring us up, please? Common alternative in some countries. | Common alternative in some countries. |
How to use la cuenta, por favor in real life
- 1End of dinner
La cuenta, por favor.
The check, please.
Short classic with cuenta.
- 2Catching the waiter
¿Me trae la cuenta cuando pueda?
Could you bring the check when you can?
Softer timing with la cuenta.
- 3Splitting
¿Puede ser la cuenta separada?
Can it be separate checks?
Cuenta separada is widely understood.
Mistakes English speakers make with la cuenta, por favor
Incorrect: El cuenta, por favor.
Correct: La cuenta, por favor.
Cuenta is feminine. Always la cuenta, not el cuenta.
Incorrect: El check, please en español.
Correct: La cuenta, por favor.
Use cuenta for the restaurant bill. Check is English.
Good to know
In much of Latin America you usually ask for la cuenta; it may not arrive until you do. Leaving a tip after la cuenta is common in sit-down places, though customs vary by country. Saying por favor keeps la cuenta polite.
Try it in a ChatPal conversation
Finishing lunch at a café
ChatPal
¿Pedimos la cuenta ya?
Shall we ask for the check now?
You
Sí. ¡La cuenta, por favor!
Yes. The check, please!
ChatPal
¿Pagamos juntos la cuenta?
Shall we pay the check together?
You
Claro, yo invito.
Sure, it's my treat.
This is a sample. In ChatPal you have this conversation out loud and get feedback on what you say.
Practice this conversation in ChatPal"The check, please" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "The check, please" in Spanish
Is cuenta masculine or feminine?
Feminine: la cuenta, una cuenta larga. Never el cuenta.
Is this formal enough?
Yes. La cuenta, por favor works with any waiter. Add usted forms if you want extra polish: ¿Me trae la cuenta?
How do I split the bill?
Ask for la cuenta separada, or digamos a medias if you will split one total.
Do they bring it automatically?
Often not. Asking for la cuenta is the normal signal that you are ready to pay.
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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