Paying & Splitting the Bill
Use these phrases to ask for the check, choose how to pay, and handle tips when eating out in German-speaking countries.
Key Phrases
Die Rechnung, bitte.
neutralThe bill, please.
The most common and natural way to ask for the check anywhere.
Zahlen, bitte!
casualWe want to pay, please!
Common and direct; best for busy cafes, beer gardens, or pubs.
Was macht das?
neutralHow much does that come to?
Standard everyday phrase to ask the server for the final total.
Wie viel kostet das?
casualHow much is that?
A simple direct question to ask the price.
Zusammen oder getrennt?
neutralTogether or separate?
The standard question servers ask before taking payment.
Getrennt, bitte.
neutralSeparately, please.
Use this when everyone in your group pays for their own items.
Alles zusammen, bitte.
neutralAll together, please.
Use this when one person pays the full bill for the table.
Karte, bitte.
neutralCard, please.
Clear and polite when the server brings the card reader.
Geht Karte?
casualDo you take card?
Good to ask first, as some smaller German venues accept only cash.
Ich zahle bar.
neutralI am paying in cash.
Clear statement when preparing notes or coins.
Stimmt so.
neutralKeep the change.
Say this while handing cash to let the server keep the remainder as a tip.
Machen wir fünfzehn Euro.
casualLet's make it fifteen euros.
State the rounded-up total you want to pay including your tip.