How do you ask for "the bill" at a restaurant?


This is probably a bit of a silly question, but what do you say in Japanese
when you're asking for the bill in a restaurant? Or is it unusual to say
anything at all?

When I was in Japan I could never really catch any particular phrases and when
I was at Kaitenzushi places I just stood up until the staff noticed I was
ready to leave and then they counted my plates.

Would it be something to the effect of 付けをください? Or is it like in America where
you usually don't really ask for the bill but just wait for it to come?




Beside 勘定 (or 勘定書) mentioned by Louis, お会計【かいけい】 is also a very common way to
refer to the bill:

> お会計をください
>
> お会計お願いします

I believe 会計 has a more general nuance than 勘定 ("bill", rather than "check"),
meaning it can be used in some instances where 勘定 would not fit. For
restaurants, they are essentially interchangeable.

The gesture described by Louis (making a × sign with your index fingers) is
indeed a universal Japanese gesture to indicate you are done: while it is not
particularly rude, you should probably still avoid it in a very fancy place
(and doing it appropriately might require a bit of practice, so I'd recommend
holding off on it until you've seen it done a few times).

Note that all of the above will not always get you the check (at your table),
since the vast majority of restaurants expect you to pay at a counter by the
door and many will ring your total there. It can however indicate that you
will be paying and signal the waiter to prepare your check.




Beside 勘定 (or 勘定書) mentioned by Louis, お会計【かいけい】 is also a very common way to
refer to the bill:

> お会計をください
>
> お会計お願いします

I believe 会計 has a more general nuance than 勘定 ("bill", rather than "check"),
meaning it can be used in some instances where 勘定 would not fit. For
restaurants, they are essentially interchangeable.

The gesture described by Louis (making a × sign with your index fingers) is
indeed a universal Japanese gesture to indicate you are done: while it is not
particularly rude, you should probably still avoid it in a very fancy place
(and doing it appropriately might require a bit of practice, so I'd recommend
holding off on it until you've seen it done a few times).

Note that all of the above will not always get you the check (at your table),
since the vast majority of restaurants expect you to pay at a counter by the
door and many will ring your total there. It can however indicate that you
will be paying and signal the waiter to prepare your check.

