How to Say ‘Could we have the bill, please?’ in French
L'addition, s'il vous plaît.
l ah-dee-syohn seel eel voo pleh
[l ah-dee-syohn seel eel voo pleh]
🇫🇷 In France: In France you normally ask for [l'addition] when you are ready; staff often will not bring it until you do. That is standard, not slow service.
Phrase Breakdown
L'
[l]
the
Shortened definite article before a vowel.
À la fin du repas, je demande : L'addition, s'il vous plaît.
At the end of the meal, I ask: The bill, please.
addition
[ah-dee-syohn]
bill / check
The restaurant bill you ask for before paying.
Quand nous avons fini, je dis : L'addition, s'il vous plaît.
When we have finished, I say: The bill, please.
s'
[seel]
s'
Part of the standard polite phrase 's'il vous plaît.'
Au serveur, je demande : L'addition, s'il vous plaît.
To the server, I ask: The bill, please.
il
[eel]
he
Part of the fixed expression, not translated word-for-word in this context.
Pour être poli, je dis : L'addition, s'il vous plaît.
To be polite, I say: The bill, please.
vous
[voo]
you
Formal 'you' in a polite request to staff.
Avant de partir, je dis : L'addition, s'il vous plaît.
Before leaving, I say: The bill, please.
plaît
[pleh]
please
Used to soften and polite-ify the request.
À la fin du déjeuner, je demande : L'addition, s'il vous plaît.
At the end of lunch, I ask: The bill, please.
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