politeLesson 20

Paying and Splitting the Bill — Department manager

Situation

Where
A restaurant, after a meal
Who
You and a department manager
Goal
To handle the bill at the end of a meal.

Conversation

Show

A

Excuse me, the check please.

B

Could we pay separately?

A

I'm sorry. We only accept a single combined payment.

B

Understood. Then I'll pay for everyone.

A

Thank you. Here's your receipt.

Vocabulary (10)

okaikei

the bill / check

お会計をお願いします = "the check, please."

betsubetsu

separately

別々で払う = "to pay separately."

matomete

all together

まとめて払う = "to pay all together."

〜nomi

only

まとめてのみ = "combined payment only."

harau

to pay

私が払います = "I'll pay."

reshiito

receipt

Given after payment.

yoroshikuonegaishimasu

thank you in advance

Closes most requests and emails; sets a cooperative tone.

kakunin

confirmation / check

Daily-use word: ご確認お願いします means "please check."

shouchishimashita

understood (polite)

Politer than 分かりました; use with managers and clients.

houkoku

report

Part of 報連相 (report, contact, consult) — core Japanese work etiquette.

Grammar

Noun + でお願いできますか

Polite request: 別々でお願いできますか.

Noun + のみ

Only (formal): まとめてのみ.

Noun + となっております

Humble "it is set as": まとめてのみとなっております.

Cultural Notes

Workplace etiquette

Splitting the bill (割り勘) is common among friends, but some restaurants only take one payment — settle up afterward.

Common mistake

For work dinners, the senior person or the company often pays. Offer, but don't insist over a senior's gesture.

Formality level

Polite. お会計をお願いします is the standard way to ask for the bill.

Quiz

What does "お会計" mean?

What does "別々" mean?

What does "まとめて" mean?

What does "〜のみ" mean?

What does "払う" mean?

What does "レシート" mean?

How is the pattern "〜でお願いできますか" used?

How is the pattern "〜のみ" used?

How is the pattern "〜となっております" used?

What is the goal of this conversation?

Flashcards

Turn this lesson into flashcards

Save all 10 vocabulary items to your deck and review them later with spaced repetition.