The bill (kontua eskatzen)

The end of the meal has its own little script: ask for the bill, pay and say goodbye.

Asking for the bill

Three ways, all correct:

Euskera	English	Tone
Kontua, mesedez.	The bill, please.	neutral, clear
Atera kontua, mesedez.	Bring me the bill, please.	neutral
Kobratuko al didazu?	Will you charge me?	polite (future)

Kobratuko al didazu? is heard all the time in informal bars and restaurants. Al is a question particle and didazu is “(you to) me” (NOR-NORI-NORK).

The total price

• Zenbat da dena? — How much is everything?
• Hamabost euro eta hogei zentimo. — Fifteen euros and twenty cents.

Paying

Euskera	English
Txartelaz ordain dezaket?	Can I pay by card?
Eskudirutan ordainduko dut.	I’ll pay in cash.
Tori!	Here you go! (when handing over the money)
Hemen daukazu kanbioa.	Here is your change.
Ez daukat kanbiorik.	I have no change.

Eskudiru = “money at hand” → cash. Txartel = card. Kanbio is a loanword and is used quite normally.

Tips

In Euskal Herria tipping is not mandatory. What is usual:

• In bars and informal meals: leaving the loose coins from your change (50 cents to 1 euro).
• In restaurants with a higher bill: 1-2 euros per person if you enjoyed it.
• The typical 10% in the style of other countries is never required.

Saying goodbye

• Eskerrik asko, oso ondo zegoen! — Thank you very much, it was delicious!
• Zuri! Agur! — Thank you! Goodbye!
• Hurrengora arte! — Until next time!

Full mini-sequence

— Aizu, kobratuko al didazu, mesedez?

— Bai, banoa. Hamazortzi euro eta berrogeita hamar zentimo.

— Txartelaz ordain dezaket?

— Bai, noski.

— Eskerrik asko! Oso ondo zegoen.

— Zuri! Agur!

Cultural note: leaving the coin from your coffee as a small tip for the waiter is a fairly common gesture in Basque bars, especially if you stay for a while to chat. It’s not expected, but it’s appreciated.