Spanish Phrase
¿La cuenta está bien?
Meaning
Literally, ‘Is the bill okay?’, this phrase is used to confirm that the amount on a restaurant check is correct or that the service was satisfactory.
When to use
Say this after the waiter brings the check, before you pay, or when you want to verify that the total matches what you ordered. It works in restaurants, cafés, or any setting where a bill is presented.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Lacuentaestábien?
Definite article (La)
‘La’ is the feminine singular definite article, used here because ‘cuenta’ is a feminine noun.
Noun (cuenta)
‘Cuenta’ means ‘bill’ or ‘check’ in a restaurant context; it is a regular -a noun.
Verb estar (está)
‘Estar’ expresses a temporary state or condition. Here it asks about the current status of the bill.
Adverb (bien)
‘Bien’ means ‘good/okay’. As an adverb it modifies the verb ‘estar’.
Question marks
Spanish uses an opening (¿) and closing (?) question mark for all questions.
🗨In Conversation
¿La cuenta está bien?
Is the bill okay?
Sí, todo está correcto. ¿Quiere algo más?
Yes, everything is correct. Would you like anything else?
✕Common Mistakes
¿La cuenta es bien?
‘Ser’ describes permanent characteristics; use ‘estar’ for the temporary state of the bill.
¿La cuenta bien está?
Adverb placement is before the verb in this construction.
¿La está cuenta?
The article must precede the noun, not the verb.
↔Alternatives
¿Todo está correcto con la cuenta?
Is everything correct with the bill?
¿La cuenta es correcta?
Is the bill correct?
¿Está bien la cuenta?
Is the bill okay?
Cultural Tip
In many Spanish‑speaking countries it’s considered polite to ask the server if the bill is correct before paying, especially in family‑run eateries where prices can be informal. Using ‘¿La cuenta está bien?’ shows you’re attentive but also respectful. Avoid demanding the total; a gentle question is the norm.