A1 · Beginner · Food and drink
Pay the bill
6 short A1 English scripts to practise how to pay the bill. Read one out loud, record yourself, listen back and try again.
Key phrase Can we pay…?
Who is paying?
Excuse me, the bill, please. Thanks. Okay, let's split the bill. Four of us, so... what? Service charge is included? Good.
Hang on, no. It's on me tonight. It's my birthday... no, it's not my birthday. But it's on me! Oh, the card machine is broken? Of course it is. Anyone got cash?
American English
Excuse me, the check, please. Thanks. Okay, let's split the check. Four of us, so... what? There's a service charge? For four people? Okay, fine.
Wait, no. It's on me tonight. It's my birthday... no, it's not my birthday. But it's on me! Oh, the card machine is down? Of course it is. Anyone got cash?
Nan and the tea
Excuse me, can we pay separately? Thanks.
Cash or card? Card for me, cash for my nan. Her tea is my treat, though. No, Nan, don't argue. And keep the change, please. It's only ten pence. I'm a big spender!
American English
Excuse me, can we pay separately? Thanks.
Cash or card? Card for me, cash for my grandma. Her tea is my treat, though. No, Grandma, don't argue. And keep the change, please. It's only ten cents. I'm a big spender!
Free cake
Sorry, Ben, I forgot my wallet. How much do I owe you? Twelve pounds? I'll pay back every penny tomorrow. Promise.
Here's my share of the taxi, too. Wait, the waiter is bringing a cake. We didn't order that. It's on the house? Because I'm so polite? Best day ever. Ben, I owe you nothing!
American English
Sorry, Ben, I forgot my wallet. How much do I owe you? Twelve dollars? I'll pay back every cent tomorrow. Promise.
Here's my share of the cab, too. Wait, the waiter is bringing a cake. We didn't order that. It's on the house? Because I'm so polite? Best day ever. Ben, I owe you nothing!
No menu, only a code
There's no menu. Only a QR code on the table. Okay, I scan it, and the app opens. Order, done. Now I pay by app.
Declined? What? My card is declined? I had money yesterday! Hang on. Oh. I paid for last night's pizza. Nobody tell my bank. Try again... Yes! Okay. Coffee is on its way.
American English
There's no menu. Only a QR code on the table. Okay, I scan it, and the app opens. Order, done. Now I pay by app.
Declined? What? My card is declined? I had money yesterday! Hold on. Oh. I paid for last night's pizza. Nobody tell my bank. Try again... Yes! Okay. Coffee is on its way.
Seven people, one steak
Right, the total is £84. Is service included? Yes? Okay. Seven of us. Let's work out how much each. That's twelve pounds each.
Or we go Dutch, and Kemal pays extra, because he had the steak. And the wine. And the dessert. Kemal? Kemal! Where are you going?
American English
Okay, the total is $84. Is the tip included? Yes? Okay. Seven of us. Let's work out how much each. That's twelve dollars each.
Or we go Dutch, and Kemal pays extra, because he had the steak. And the wine. And the dessert. Kemal? Kemal! Where are you going?
The sixty-pound mug
Right, everyone, let's chip in for Sarah's present. It's sixty pounds, and there are six of us. That's ten pounds per person. Easy!
Hello, are you the cashier? Is the gift box included? Yes? Great. Do you want to round up for charity? Yes, round up, please. Is it worth it? A mug for sixty pounds? Well, she loves tea. Yes, it's worth it.
American English
Okay, everyone, let's chip in for Sarah's present. It's sixty dollars, and there are six of us. That's ten dollars per person. Easy!
Hi, are you the cashier? Is the gift box included? Yes? Great. Do you want to round up for charity? Sure, round up, please. Is it worth it? A mug for sixty bucks? Well, she loves tea. Yes, it's worth it.
Key words
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| the bill, please / the check, please (US) phrase | use it to ask the waiter for the bill |
| split the bill / split the check (US) phrase | each person pays an equal part of the bill |
| It's on me phrase | I will pay for everything |
| service charge noun | extra money added for the waiters |
| card machine noun | the small machine you use to pay with a card |