A guide to saying it like a local
How to Say "The check please" in French
Politely ask for the bill at a restaurant or café in France.
L'addition, s'il vous plaît.
lah-dee-SYOHN, seel voo PLEHneutral
French TTS · 0:01
Use this phrase when you're ready to pay after your meal. It's the standard way to signal to your server that you'd like the bill.
Alternatives
- L'addition, merci.Slightly more direct, but still polite.
- Je peux avoir l'addition ?A bit more of a question, also perfectly fine.
Ways to get it wrong
Pronouncing 'addition'
The 'ti' sounds like 'see', not 'ti', and the 'on' is a nasal sound.
Forgetting 's'il vous plaît'
Always add 's'il vous plaît' (please) to be polite in this situation.
A small cultural note
Unlike in some countries, you don't usually have to flag down the server; they'll often bring the bill when they see you've finished eating. Don't be surprised if it takes a few minutes.
The same phrase in other languages
Frequently asked
How to ask for the bill in French?
The most common way is 'L'addition, s'il vous plaît.' This is polite and works in any restaurant or café.
Can I just say 'l'addition'?
While understood, it's considered a bit abrupt. Always add 's'il vous plaît' to be polite.
What if I'm with friends?
If you're very casual with the server, you might use 'L'addition, st'il te plaît,' but 's'il vous plaît' is always safe.
