Numbers and money in restaurant English can be stressful. Guests speak fast, and you need to do maths at the same time.
This guide gives you easy phrases for prices, payment, splitting the bill and tips. Tap 🔊 to hear each one.
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The money rule: say it back
Money mistakes cost real money. So with numbers, always say it back.
The guest says “Split it three ways.” You say “Sure, so three equal parts?” Five seconds of checking saves five minutes of fixing.
How to say prices
In restaurants, people usually drop “dollars” and “cents”:
- $15.50 = “fifteen fifty”
- $28.99 = “twenty-eight ninety-nine”
- $4.75 = “four seventy-five”
- $0.50 = “fifty cents”
- $120 = “a hundred and twenty” (UK) or “a hundred twenty” (US)
“The salmon is twenty-eight fifty.”
When a guest asks “How much is the salmon?”
“Most main dishes are between twenty and thirty-five dollars.”
When a guest asks how expensive the restaurant is.
Bringing the check
“Of course. I’ll bring that right over.”
When the guest says “Can we get the check?”
“Here’s your check. No rush.”
“No rush” = take your time.
“How would you like to pay?”
The standard question.
“You can tap your card or phone here.”
For contactless payment.
Splitting the bill
Split bills are the biggest money problem for servers. The trick is to ask early.
“Will this be one check or separate checks?”
Ask when you take the order, not at the end. It’s much easier.
“How would you like to split it?”
When the guest just says “Can we split it?”
“Sure. So that’s three equal parts, twenty-eight fifty each?”
For an equal split. Say the number back.
“No problem. I’ll do a separate check for each person.”
When each person pays only for their own food.
“The easiest way is if one person pays, and you settle up together.”
For very complicated splits. “Settle up” = pay each other back.
Cash and change
“Out of fifty. Your change is twelve fifty.”
“Out of fifty” = the guest gave you $50.
“Do you have anything smaller?”
When a guest pays with a big note and you don’t have change.
Tips and service charge
A tip is extra money for good service. The guest chooses it. A service charge (or gratuity) is a tip already added to the bill, often for big groups.
Tipping is very different around the world. In the US, many guests tip around 15–20% at a sit-down restaurant. In many other countries it is smaller or not expected. Follow your restaurant’s rules.
“Just so you know, a service charge is already included for groups of eight.”
Always tell guests. Then they don’t feel tricked or tip twice.
“You can add a tip on the screen if you’d like.”
For card machines with a tip option. Keep it short and neutral.
When the card doesn’t work
“It looks like that card didn’t go through. Do you have another one?”
Never say “Your card is declined” or “You don’t have money”. Stay calm and private.
Save this card and look at it before your next shift. On Pinterest? Pin it so you can find it fast.
Numbers and money in restaurant English: example dialogue
Guest: Excuse me, can we get the check, please?
Waiter: Of course. Will that be one check or separate checks?
Guest: Can we split it three ways?
Waiter: Sure. So that’s three equal parts, twenty-eight fifty each?
Guest: Yes, perfect.
Waiter: How would you like to pay?
Guest: Two cards and one cash.
Waiter: No problem. You can tap your card here.
Waiter: And out of fifty. Your change is twenty-one fifty.
Guest: Thank you!
See the money rule? The waiter said the split back before running the cards. No mistakes, no stress.
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Quick quiz
1. How do you say $12.75 in a restaurant?
In restaurants we usually drop “dollars” and “cents”.
2. When is the best time to ask about split checks?
Asking early makes splitting much easier.
3. A card doesn’t work. You say…
Stay calm and polite. It might be the machine, not the card.
FAQ
How do waiters split the bill?
Ask early: “One check or separate checks?” Then ask “How would you like to split it?” and say the amounts back before you take payment.
What is the difference between a check and a receipt?
The check (or bill) shows what to pay. The receipt shows what the guest already paid.
What does “out of twenty” mean?
It means the guest gave you $20. Then you say the change: “Out of twenty. Your change is four fifty.”
Related guides
- How to manage payment and separate checks
- How to handle customer complaints in English
- Taking orders script: 12 phrases waiters can use
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