How to Say “Can I have the bill please?” in Chinese
Food and dining · HSK 2
"Can I have the bill please?" in Chinese is 买单 (mǎi dān). 买单 (mǎidān) is the Mainland standard for 'check please'; you just call it out to any passing server and they'll bring a QR code or POS machine. In Taiwan and Hong Kong, 结账 (jiézhàng) is more common.
Primary translation
买单
mǎi dān
Traditional: 買單
Variants by register
Formal
麻烦结一下账
má fan jié yí xià zhàng
Casual
买单！
mǎi dān!
When to use it
买单 (mǎidān) is the Mainland standard for 'check please'; you just call it out to any passing server and they'll bring a QR code or POS machine. In Taiwan and Hong Kong, 结账 (jiézhàng) is more common. Two cultural notes: first, Chinese diners almost never split bills evenly; whoever invited usually pays, and fighting over the check is a real ritual. Second, in casual restaurants you don't wait politely; raising your hand and calling 服务员,买单! is totally normal and expected. Mobile payment (WeChat Pay, Alipay) has almost replaced cash and cards.
Example sentences
服务员，买单！
Fú wù yuán, mǎi dān!
Waiter, the bill please!
今天我请客，我来买单。
Jīn tiān wǒ qǐng kè, wǒ lái mǎi dān.
It's my treat today, I'll pay the bill.
可以用微信支付买单吗？
Kě yǐ yòng wēi xìn zhī fù mǎi dān ma?
Can I pay the bill with WeChat Pay?