Chinese phrases
How to say the bill, please in Chinese
The bill, please in Chinese is 买单 (mǎi dān), or 结账 (jié zhàng). Call it across the room with 服务员 in front: 服务员，买单!
买单
the bill, please
Ways to say the bill, please
买单
Everydaythe bill, please
In restaurants, cafés and bars. Short, and not rude.
结账
EverydayI’d like to pay
The same request. It also works at a shop counter or a hotel desk.
我请客
With friendsit’s on me
When you invited someone and want to pay for them.
这顿我来
With friendsthis meal is on me
Said as you reach for your phone to pay. 顿 counts meals.
各付各的
Everydaylet’s each pay our own
To split the bill. Younger people also use the English letters AA: 我们AA吧.
Paying
Most people pay with WeChat or Alipay by scanning a QR code, 扫码.
可以扫码吗
can I pay by QR code?
Almost always yes.
我扫你
I’ll scan your code
The cashier shows a code and you scan it. 你扫我 means the cashier scans the code on your phone.
可以刷卡吗
can I pay by card?
Big hotels and many large shops take foreign cards. Small restaurants often do not, but you can link a foreign card to Alipay or WeChat Pay.
现金
cash
Still accepted, but small places may not have change.
可以开发票吗
can I get an official receipt?
A 发票 is the receipt for work expenses. Ask before you pay.
打包
to pack it to go
Very normal for leftovers. Say 这个打包 and staff bring a box.
Common mistakes
Asking for the 账单
账单 is the bill as a document, like a phone bill. To ask for the bill, don’t say 请给我账单. Say 买单 or 结账.
Splitting when a friend says 我请客
A Chinese friend who invited you usually expects to pay, and insisting on AA can feel cold. Say 谢谢，下次我请: “thanks, next time is on me.” Then keep your word.
Waiting at the table for the bill
In many restaurants you order and pay with the QR code on the table, or you pay at the counter, 前台. If you are not sure, ask 在哪里买单?
At the end of dinner
服务员，买单！
Leon: Excuse me, the bill, please!
好的，一共一百二十八。
Waiter: Sure, that’s 128 yuan in total.
我来吧，今天我请客。
Qiqi: Let me. It’s on me today.
那下次我请！
Leon: Then next time is on me!
