How to Say ‘Keep the change.’ in Mexican Spanish
Quédese con el cambio.
KEH-deh-seh kohn ehl KAHM-byoh
[KEH-deh-seh kohn ehl KAHM-byoh]
💬 Usage Tip: [quédese] is the [usted] command form of [quedarse], used here for a polite instruction: "keep it." You'll see the same [se] ending in other polite commands like [siéntese] or [espérese].
🇲🇽 In Mexico: This is a normal way to leave a small tip in cash when paying. In many restaurants in Mexico, tipping is expected but added service is usually not included, so people often say this as they hand over the bill.
Phrase Breakdown
Quédese
[KEH-deh-seh]
keep
A polite command form meaning keep it, used when tipping with change.
Si no necesito monedas, digo: Quédese con el cambio.
If I don't need coins, I say: Keep the change.
con
[kohn]
with
A basic preposition meaning with.
Al dejar propina, digo: Quédese con el cambio.
When leaving a tip, I say: Keep the change.
el
[ehl]
the
The masculine singular definite article the.
Si quiero ser amable, digo: Quédese con el cambio.
If I want to be polite, I say: Keep the change.
cambio
[KAHM-byoh]
change
Money returned after paying more than the total.
Cuando pago en efectivo, a veces digo: Quédese con el cambio.
When I pay in cash, sometimes I say: Keep the change.
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