Japanese for Beginners: Asking for the Bill and Paying by Card
Learn how to request the check and ask about payment methods in Japanese, focusing on ending a meal politely.
By MarcusFood & cafés · Yapr Learn
When you finish a meal in Japan, you need to know how to ask for the bill and inquire about payment options. This lesson teaches you two essential phrases: 'The bill, please' and 'Can I pay by card?' You will learn the exact Japanese expressions, their pronunciation, and when to use them. We will also cover related vocabulary and cultural tips to help you handle the end of a meal smoothly. By the end, you will be able to confidently request the check and ask about card payment in a restaurant.
By the end, you can…
- ask for the bill in Japanese.
- ask if card payment is accepted.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
お会計をお願いします。
The bill, please.
O-kaikei o onegai shimasu.
Polite and standard way to ask for the check at a restaurant. Use when you are ready to pay.
カードで払えますか。
Can I pay by card?
Kādo de haraemasu ka.
Ask this to check if credit cards are accepted. 'Kādo' means card, 'de' indicates method, and 'haraemasu ka' is the polite potential form of 'harau' (to pay) plus a question particle.
現金でお願いします。
Cash, please.
Genkin de onegai shimasu.
Use if you want to pay in cash. 'Genkin' means cash.
別々でお願いします。
Separate checks, please.
Betsubetsu de onegai shimasu.
Use when you want to split the bill. 'Betsubetsu' means separate.
一緒でお願いします。
Together, please.
Issho de onegai shimasu.
Use when you want to pay together on one check. 'Issho' means together.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
The pattern '～でお願いします' (de onegai shimasu) is very useful for making requests. It means 'please do [something] by [method]' or 'please make it [something]'. For example, 'カードでお願いします' means 'By card, please.' You can use it with various nouns: '現金で' (by cash), 'カードで' (by card), '別々で' (separately). To ask a question, use '～で払えますか' (de haraemasu ka) meaning 'Can I pay by [method]?' For instance, 'カードで払えますか' (Can I pay by card?). The verb '払えます' is the potential form of '払います' (to pay), making it polite.
When to use it
Use 'お会計をお願いします' when you are ready to pay and want the staff to bring the bill. It is polite and appropriate in most restaurants. If you are at a counter, you might simply say 'お会計' (O-kaikei) with a gesture. For payment method, ask 'カードで払えますか' before you attempt to pay. If the answer is negative, you can say '現金でお願いします' and pay in cash. If you are with friends and want to split the bill, say '別々でお願いします' when the staff asks how you will pay. These phrases work in izakaya, cafes, and restaurants.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
すみません、お会計をお願いします。
Excuse me, the bill please.Sumimasen, o-kaikei o onegai shimasu.はい、少々お待ちください。
Yes, please wait a moment.Hai, shōshō o-machi kudasai.カードで払えますか。
Can I pay by card?Kādo de haraemasu ka.はい、カードで大丈夫です。
Yes, card is fine.Hai, kādo de daijōbu desu.A little context goes a long way
In Japan, it is common to pay at the register near the exit rather than at the table, especially in casual restaurants. Saying 'ごちそうさまでした' (Gochisōsama deshita) when leaving is a polite way to thank the staff. Tipping is not customary and can be considered rude. When splitting the bill, some restaurants may not allow separate checks, so it's best to ask beforehand.
One thing to watch for
Using 'カードで払いますか' (Kādo de haraimasu ka) to ask 'Can I pay by card?'
Try this instead: This means 'Do I pay by card?' and is not a question about possibility. The correct form is 'カードで払えますか' (Kādo de haraemasu ka) using the potential form '払えます' (can pay).
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1How do you say 'The bill, please' in Japanese?
Show a sample answer
お会計をお願いします。 (O-kaikei o onegai shimasu.)
This is the standard polite phrase. You could also say 'お勘定をお願いします' (O-kanjō o onegai shimasu) in some regions, but 'お会計' is widely understood.
2What is the Japanese phrase for 'Can I pay by card?'
Show a sample answer
カードで払えますか。 (Kādo de haraemasu ka.)
This uses the potential form '払えます' to ask about ability. You might also hear 'カードは使えますか' (Kādo wa tsukaemasu ka) meaning 'Can I use a card?' which is also correct.
3If you want to split the bill, what do you say?
Show a sample answer
別々でお願いします。 (Betsubetsu de onegai shimasu.)
This requests separate checks. In some restaurants, you might need to say '別々に払えますか' (Betsubetsu ni haraemasu ka) to ask if separate payment is possible.
Remember to say 'お会計をお願いします' to ask for the bill, and 'カードで払えますか' to ask about card payment. Use polite forms and thank the staff with 'ごちそうさまでした' when leaving.
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