A guide to saying it like a local
How to Say "Could we get the bill" in French
The essential French phrase to ask for the check at a restaurant or café, polite and direct.
L'addition, s'il vous plaît.
lah-dee-SYOHN, SEEL voo PLEHneutral
French TTS · 0:01
Use this when you're finished with your meal and ready to pay. It's the standard way to signal the waiter to bring the bill.
Alternatives
- On peut avoir l'addition ?Slightly more casual, implies 'can we get' more directly.
- Je voudrais l'addition.A bit more formal, meaning 'I would like the bill'.
Ways to get it wrong
Pronouncing 'addition'
The 'ti' makes an 'see' sound, not a 'shun' sound like in English.
Forgetting 's'il vous plaît'
Always add 's'il vous plaît' (please) to be polite when asking for something.
A small cultural note
While 'L'addition, s'il vous plaît' is universal, in very casual bistros or with friends, you might hear 'On peut avoir l'addition ?' or even just a gesture towards the waiter.
The same phrase in other languages
Frequently asked
How do I ask for the bill in French?
The most common way is 'L'addition, s'il vous plaît.' This is polite and understood everywhere.
Is 'L'addition, s'il vous plaît' formal?
It's neutral and perfectly fine for any restaurant. You can use it with anyone.
What if I want to be more casual?
You could say 'On peut avoir l'addition ?' which is a bit more like 'Can we get the bill?'
