French Phrase
L'addition, s'il te plaît.
Meaning
Literally, “The bill, please.” It is the standard way to ask a waiter or waitress to bring the check after you have finished your meal.
When to use
Use this phrase in a restaurant, café, or any place where you are served food and need the total amount to pay. It is typically said after you have finished eating and are ready to leave.
✦Grammar Breakdown
L'addition,s'ilteplaît.
L'addition
Definite article 'l'' contracts with the vowel‑starting noun 'addition', meaning 'the bill' or 'the check' in a restaurant.
s'il te plaît
A polite formula meaning 'please'. 's'' = 'si' (if) + 'il' (he), 'te' is the informal second‑person object pronoun, and 'plaît' is the third‑person singular of 'plaire' (to please).
Formal vs. informal
Use 's'il te plaît' with friends or staff you know well; in most service situations French speakers prefer the formal 's'il vous plaît'.
🗨In Conversation
L'addition, s'il te plaît.
The check, please.
Bien sûr, je vous l'apporte tout de suite.
Of course, I’ll bring it right away.
✕Common Mistakes
L'addition, s'il vous plaît.
Mixing informal 'te' with formal 'vous' is inconsistent; choose either the fully informal or fully formal version.
Addition, s'il te plaît.
Dropping the article makes the phrase sound incomplete; the noun needs the definite article in this context.
L'addition, s'il te plais.
The verb must stay in the third‑person singular form; 'plais' is incorrect.
↔Alternatives
L'addition, s'il vous plaît.
The check, please. (formal/plural)
Je peux avoir l'addition, s'il vous plaît ?
May I have the check, please?
L'addition, s'il vous plaît, quand vous avez un moment.
The check, please, when you have a moment.
Cultural Tip
In France it is common for the server to bring the check only when asked; unlike some countries where the bill arrives automatically. Tipping is usually done by leaving a small amount of change on the table (5‑10 % of the total) or rounding up the total. Using the formal 's'il vous plaît' is safest in a restaurant unless you have a familiar relationship with the staff.