Spanish Phrase
¿Nos traes la cuenta?
Meaning
Literally, “Do you bring us the bill?” In practice it’s a polite request to the waiter or server to bring the check so you can pay. The tone is informal, suitable when you’re speaking to someone you address with ‘tú’.
When to use
Use this phrase in restaurants, cafés, or any dining setting when you’re ready to settle the tab and you’re speaking informally to the staff. Adding ‘por favor’ makes it even more courteous.
✦Grammar Breakdown
¿Nostraeslacuenta?
Nos (indirect object pronoun)
‘Nos’ replaces ‘a nosotros’ and indicates that the action is done for or to us.
traes (present of traer, tú)
Second‑person singular present of ‘traer’ (to bring). Used in informal settings.
la cuenta (direct object)
Literally ‘the account’, idiomatically ‘the bill/check’ in a restaurant.
Question marks
Spanish uses opening (¿) and closing (?) question marks for all questions.
🗨In Conversation
¿Nos traes la cuenta, por favor?
Could you bring us the check, please?
Claro, en un momento.
Sure, one moment.
✕Common Mistakes
¿Nos trae la cuenta?
‘trae’ is the third‑person singular form (él/ella/usted). Use ‘traes’ for informal ‘tú’ or ‘traiga’ for formal ‘usted’.
Nos traes la cuenta?
Missing opening question mark makes the sentence look like a statement. Spanish always requires both opening and closing marks.
¿La cuenta nos traes?
Word order is unusual; the pronoun normally precedes the verb.
↔Alternatives
¿Podrías traernos la cuenta?
Could you bring us the check?
¿Nos puede traer la cuenta?
Can you bring us the check?
¿Me trae la cuenta, por favor?
Could you bring me the check, please?
Cultural Tip
In many Spanish‑speaking countries it’s customary to ask for the bill only when you’re ready to leave; calling a waiter too early can be seen as impatient. Adding ‘por favor’ or ‘gracias’ shows politeness. In formal settings (e.g., upscale restaurants) you might use the formal ‘usted’ form: “¿Nos trae la cuenta?”.