German for Beginners: Asking for the Bill and Paying by Card
Learn to end a meal in German: ask for the bill, request card payment, and understand common replies in restaurants and cafés.
By MarcusFood & cafés · Yapr Learn
When a meal is over, you need different German than when you ordered. This lesson gives you the exact phrases to ask for the bill and to ask about paying by card. You will also learn how to understand the server's answer, because in Germany paying by card is common but not universal, and the reply often includes a short question about how you want to pay. Focus on these phrases and use them as fixed chunks; you do not need to build new sentences from scratch.
By the end, you can…
- ask for the bill politely in a restaurant or café.
- ask whether I can pay by card and understand a simple yes or no answer.
- respond when the server asks how I would like to pay.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
Die Rechnung, bitte.
The bill, please.
dee REKH-nung, BIT-tuh
The standard, polite way to ask for the bill. Use it after you have finished eating. 'Bitte' makes it polite; without it, it can sound abrupt.
Kann ich mit Karte zahlen?
Can I pay by card?
kahn ikh mit KAR-tuh TSAH-len
The most useful general question for card payment. 'Mit Karte' covers debit and credit cards in everyday speech.
Kann ich mit Kreditkarte zahlen?
Can I pay by credit card?
kahn ikh mit kre-DEET-kar-tuh TSAH-len
Use this when you specifically mean a credit card, not a German debit card (EC-Karte/Girocard).
Zusammen, bitte.
Together, please.
tsoo-ZAH-men, BIT-tuh
Say this if you are paying for everyone at the table in one bill. It answers the common question 'Zusammen oder getrennt?'
Getrennt, bitte.
Separately, please.
guh-TRENT, BIT-tuh
Say this if each person pays their own share. In Germany, splitting the bill is very common.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
To ask for something politely, use the noun plus 'bitte': 'Die Rechnung, bitte.' To ask permission, use 'Kann ich ...?' plus the infinitive at the end: 'Kann ich mit Karte zahlen?' You can swap the payment method: 'Kann ich mit Kreditkarte zahlen?' or 'Kann ich bar zahlen?' ('Can I pay in cash?'). The verb 'zahlen' stays at the end of the question.
When to use it
Use 'Die Rechnung, bitte.' when you are ready to leave, not while still ordering. If the server has not come to your table, you can say 'Entschuldigung, die Rechnung, bitte.' Use 'Kann ich mit Karte zahlen?' before the bill arrives if you want to check first. In many places the server will ask 'Zusammen oder getrennt?' — answer with 'Zusammen, bitte.' or 'Getrennt, bitte.'
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
Entschuldigung, die Rechnung, bitte.
Excuse me, the bill, please.ent-SHOOL-dee-gung, dee REKH-nung, BIT-tuhGerne. Zusammen oder getrennt?
Certainly. Together or separately?GAIR-nuh. tsoo-ZAH-men O-der guh-TRENTZusammen, bitte. Kann ich mit Karte zahlen?
Together, please. Can I pay by card?tsoo-ZAH-men, BIT-tuh. kahn ikh mit KAR-tuh TSAH-lenJa, klar. Bitte am Gerät.
Yes, of course. At the card reader, please.yah, klahr. BIT-tuh am guh-RAITA little context goes a long way
In Germany, Austria and Switzerland, card payment is widely accepted but cash is still common, especially in small cafés, bakeries and some traditional restaurants. German debit cards (EC-Karte or Girocard) are accepted more often than credit cards, so 'Kann ich mit Karte zahlen?' may get a yes while 'Kann ich mit Kreditkarte zahlen?' gets a no. Tipping is usually rounded up or about five to ten percent; you can say 'Stimmt so' when handing over money.
One thing to watch for
Using 'Ich will die Rechnung' or 'Ich brauche die Rechnung' to ask for the bill.
Try this instead: These sound demanding or odd in a restaurant. Use the polite fixed phrase 'Die Rechnung, bitte.' If you want a full sentence, say 'Ich möchte bitte die Rechnung.' — 'möchte' is the polite form of 'want'.
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1How do you ask for the bill politely in German?
Show a sample answer
Die Rechnung, bitte.
This is the standard polite phrase. 'Ich möchte bitte die Rechnung' is also correct and slightly more formal.
2How do you ask if you can pay by card?
Show a sample answer
Kann ich mit Karte zahlen?
This asks about card payment in general. If you mean credit card specifically, ask 'Kann ich mit Kreditkarte zahlen?'
3The server asks 'Zusammen oder getrennt?' You are paying for everyone. What do you say?
Show a sample answer
Zusammen, bitte.
'Zusammen' means one bill for the table. If each person pays separately, answer 'Getrennt, bitte.'
End a meal in German with two fixed phrases: 'Die Rechnung, bitte.' and 'Kann ich mit Karte zahlen?' Add 'Zusammen' or 'Getrennt' when the server asks how you want to pay.
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