The simplest way to ask for the bill is 买单，谢谢。 (Mǎidān, xièxie), “The bill, please.” You can also say 结账，谢谢。 (Jiézhàng, xièxie), “I'd like to pay.” Both are widely understood; the restaurant may bring the bill, direct you to the counter, or show a payment code.

Should you say 买单, 结账, or 账单?

They play different roles.

  • 买单/買單 (mǎidān): to pay the bill; commonly used as a request to settle up
  • 结账/結帳 (jiézhàng): to settle the account or check out
  • 账单/帳單 (zhàngdān): the bill or statement itself

So 买单 and 结账 are natural short requests. If you specifically want to see the itemized bill, ask 可以看一下账单吗？ (Kěyǐ kàn yíxià zhàngdān ma?), “May I see the bill?”

How do you get the server's attention?

Make eye contact, raise a hand slightly, and say 不好意思 (bù hǎo yìsi, excuse me) or 你好 (nǐ hǎo). Then add your payment request:

不好意思，买单。

Bù hǎo yìsi, mǎidān.
Excuse me, the bill please.

Avoid snapping your fingers or shouting. 服务员 (fúwùyuán, server) is understood, but calling a job title loudly can sound abrupt in some settings.

How do you ask whether to pay at the table or counter?

Ask 在这里付还是去前台？ (Zài zhèlǐ fù háishi qù qiántái?), “Do I pay here or go to the counter?”

Useful signs and replies include:

  • 前台结账/前台結帳 (qiántái jiézhàng): pay at the front counter
  • 请到收银台付款/請到收銀台付款 (qǐng dào shōuyíntái fùkuǎn): please pay at the cashier
  • 扫码结账/掃碼結帳 (sǎomǎ jiézhàng): scan to pay
  • 桌上买单/桌上買單 (zhuō shàng mǎidān): pay at the table

Restaurant workflows vary. Some table QR codes are for ordering, some for paying, and some do both. Check the wording rather than scanning an unfamiliar code automatically.

How do you ask to pay by card or cash?

  • 可以刷卡吗？ (Kěyǐ shuākǎ ma?) — Can I pay by card?
  • 可以付现金吗？ (Kěyǐ fù xiànjīn ma?) — Can I pay cash?
  • 可以用手机支付吗？ (Kěyǐ yòng shǒujī zhīfù ma?) — Can I pay by mobile?

Card can mean a locally issued bank card, not necessarily every foreign card. Payment acceptance changes by restaurant and region, so ask before the transaction rather than relying on a logo near the door.

How do you split the bill in Chinese?

Ask 可以分开付吗？ (Kěyǐ fēnkāi fù ma?), “Can we pay separately?” You can clarify:

  • 我们各付各的。 (Wǒmen gè fù gè de.) — Each of us will pay for our own items.
  • 我们平分。 (Wǒmen píngfēn.) — We'll split it equally.
  • 我来付。 (Wǒ lái fù.) — I'll pay.

Separate checks are not available everywhere. If the restaurant cannot split the transaction, one person can pay and the group can settle privately afterward.

How do you ask for a receipt or invoice?

For an ordinary receipt, ask 请给我小票。 (Qǐng gěi wǒ xiǎopiào), “Please give me the receipt.” 收据/收據 (shōujù) also means receipt.

In mainland China, 发票/發票 (fāpiào) usually means an official tax invoice, not merely the printed order slip. If you need one for expenses, ask 可以开发票吗？ (Kěyǐ kāi fāpiào ma?), “Can you issue a fapiao?” The restaurant may request a company name and tax information.

In Taiwan, 發票 commonly refers to the government uniform invoice issued with a purchase. The administrative details differ, so say what document you need rather than assuming the same process everywhere.

How do you ask to take leftovers home?

Say 可以打包吗？ (Kěyǐ dǎbāo ma?), “Can this be packed to go?” Or point to the remaining dish and say:

这个帮我打包，谢谢。

Zhège bāng wǒ dǎbāo, xièxie.
Please pack this for me, thank you.

Some restaurants charge for containers or restrict takeout for buffet, hotpot, or food-safety reasons. Ask rather than assuming.

What if the amount looks wrong?

Stay neutral and ask to check it:

  • 麻烦帮我看一下账单。 (Máfan bāng wǒ kàn yíxià zhàngdān.) — Could you please check the bill?
  • 这个我们没有点。 (Zhège wǒmen méiyǒu diǎn.) — We did not order this.
  • 这个价格是什么意思？ (Zhège jiàgé shì shénme yìsi?) — What does this price mean?

Check whether the amount includes tea, service, tableware, a per-person charge, or a market-price item before concluding that it is an error.

What complete payment exchange can you practice?

You: 不好意思，买单。 — Excuse me, the bill please.
Server: 去前台结账。 — Please pay at the counter.
You: 可以刷卡吗？ — Can I pay by card?
Server: 可以。需要发票吗？ — Yes. Do you need an invoice?
You: 不用，谢谢。 — No, thank you.

For ordering language before this final step, use our full guide to ordering food in Chinese. Keeping the ordering and payment exchanges separate makes both easier to recall under pressure.