A guide to saying it like a local
How to Say "Is there a service charge" in French
Ask if there's an extra charge for something at a restaurant, like bread, water, or a special request.
Y a-t-il un supplément ?
ee ah-TEEL uhn soo-pleh-MAHNneutral
French TTS · 0:01
Use this when you're at a restaurant and want to clarify if an item or a modification to a dish will cost extra. It's useful for things like asking about bottled water versus tap water, or if adding a specific ingredient incurs a fee.
Alternatives
- C'est en supplément ?Slightly more direct, good for a quick check.
- Est-ce que c'est payant ?A more general way to ask if something costs money.
Ways to get it wrong
Pronouncing 'supplément' like 'sup-ple-ment'
The 'é' in 'supplément' makes a 'ay' sound, so it's 'sou-play-mahn'.
Forgetting the 't' in 'y a-t-il'
The 't' is essential for inversion in questions; 'y a il' is not correct.
A small cultural note
Service is typically included in the bill in France, so this question is usually for specific extras, not the general service.
The same phrase in other languages
Frequently asked
What does 'supplément' mean in French?
'Supplément' means an extra charge or a supplement. It's used when something costs additional money on top of the base price.
Is service charge included in French restaurants?
Yes, the 'service compris' (service included) is legally required to be in the price on the menu. You don't usually need to tip unless you want to.
How to ask about tap water in France?
You can ask for 'une carafe d'eau' which is a free jug of tap water. Asking 'Est-ce que l'eau du robinet est gratuite ?' (Is tap water free?) is also clear.
