お会計(かいけい)

お会計(かいけい) is the standard way to request the bill at a restaurant or shop. The polite prefix お is almost always used — saying 会計(かいけい) alone sounds too blunt in service contexts.

Common expressions

• お会計(かいけい)をお願(ねが)いします: Check, please
• お会計(かいけい)は別々(べつべつ)で: Separate checks
• お会計(かいけい)は一緒(いっしょ)で: One check together
• お会計(かいけい)はレジで: Please pay at the register

Similar words

• 勘定(かんじょう): bill (slightly older, also used in 割(わ)り勘(かん) = splitting the bill)
• レジ: register, checkout counter
• 支払(しはら)い: payment (more general)
• 精算(せいさん): settlement, final payment

Cultural note

In Japan, the bill is typically paid at a register near the entrance, not at the table. Raising your hand and saying お会計(かいけい)お願(ねが)いします signals the server.