The bill (kontua eskatzen)
The end of the meal has its own little script: asking for the bill, paying, and saying 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? | Can I pay? | 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 don’t have change. |
Eskudiru = “money at hand” → cash. Txartel = card. Kanbio is a loanword and is used quite normally.
Tips
In the Basque Country, tipping is not mandatory. The usual practice is:
- In bars and for 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 the meal.
- The typical 10% found in other countries is never required.
Saying goodbye
- Eskerrik asko, oso ondo zegoen! — Thank you very much, it was delicious!
- Zuri! Agur! — You’re welcome! Goodbye!
- Hurrengora arte! — Until next time!
Full mini-sequence
— Aizu, kobratuko al didazu, mesedez? (Excuse me, can I pay, please?)
— Bai, banoa. Hamazortzi euro eta berrogeita hamar zentimo. (Yes, I’m coming. Eighteen euros and fifty cents.)
— Txartelaz ordain dezaket? (Can I pay by card?)
— Bai, noski. (Yes, of course.)
— Eskerrik asko! Oso ondo zegoen. (Thank you! It was delicious.)
— Zuri! Agur! (You’re welcome! Goodbye!)
Cultural note: leaving the change 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.
Ejercicios
How do you ask for the bill?
"Kobratuko al didazu?" means…
"Can I pay by card?" = Txartelaz dezaket?
"I don't have change" = Ez kanbiorik.