Language/Czech/Vocabulary/Asking-for-the-Bill-and-Tipping

◀️ Ordering Food — Previous Lesson

Next Lesson — Dining Etiquette ▶️

Czech → Vocabulary → 0 to A1 Course → At the Restaurant → Asking for the Bill and Tipping

Introduction

In this lesson, we will learn how to ask for the bill and calculate tips in Czech restaurants. This is an important topic to cover as it is a common situation that you will encounter when dining out in the Czech Republic. By the end of this lesson, you will be able to confidently communicate your request for the bill and understand how to calculate tips in Czech restaurants. We will begin by learning the key vocabulary and phrases related to asking for the bill, and then we will explore the cultural aspects of tipping in the Czech Republic. Finally, we will practice what we have learned through interactive exercises and scenarios. Let's get started!

Asking for the Bill

When you're ready to ask for the bill in a Czech restaurant, it's important to use polite and appropriate language. Here are some useful phrases to help you ask for the bill:

• Prosím, můžete mi přinést účet? (pronounced: pro-seem, moo-zhe-teh mee preenehst ooo-chet) - Could you bring me the bill, please?
• Mohl bych prosím dostat účet? (pronounced: mohl bikh pro-seem dostat ooo-chet) - Could I have the bill, please?
• Zaplatíme, prosím. (pronounced: zap-la-teemeh, pro-seem) - We would like to pay, please.

Now, let's practice using these phrases in some example dialogues:

Dialogue 1: Waiter: Dobrý den, můžu vám pomoci? You: Ano, prosím. Můžete mi přinést účet? Waiter: Samozřejmě, ihned ho přinesu.

Translation: Waiter: Good day, can I help you? You: Yes, please. Could you bring me the bill? Waiter: Of course, I will bring it right away.

Dialogue 2: You: Omlouvám se, mohl bych prosím dostat účet? Waiter: Určitě, hned vám ho přinesu.

Translation: You: Excuse me, could I have the bill, please? Waiter: Certainly, I will bring it to you right away.

Dialogue 3: You: Zaplatíme, prosím. Waiter: Samozřejmě, přinesu vám účet.

Translation: You: We would like to pay, please. Waiter: Of course, I will bring you the bill.

Tipping in the Czech Republic

Tipping in the Czech Republic is customary, but it is not as prevalent or expected as in some other countries. It is generally appreciated to leave a tip if you are satisfied with the service, but it is not mandatory. The amount of the tip is usually around 10% of the total bill, but you can adjust it based on the quality of the service provided. It is common to round up the bill or leave a small amount as a tip.

Czechs typically leave the tip on the table rather than giving it directly to the waiter. When paying the bill, you can simply leave the cash on the table or tell the waiter to keep the change. If you are paying by card, you can let the waiter know that you would like to leave a tip in cash. It is also acceptable to ask the waiter to include the tip in the total amount when paying by card.

It's worth noting that some restaurants may include a service charge in the bill, especially for larger groups. In such cases, it is not necessary to leave an additional tip unless you feel that the service was exceptional.

Now, let's practice calculating tips in Czech restaurants using some examples:

Example 1: You have a bill for 500 CZK. How much should you leave as a tip if you want to leave 10%?

Solution: To calculate 10% of the bill, you can divide the amount by 10. 500 CZK ÷ 10 = 50 CZK

So, if you want to leave a 10% tip on a 500 CZK bill, you should leave 50 CZK as a tip.

Example 2: You have a bill for 650 CZK. How much should you leave as a tip if you want to leave 15%?

Solution: To calculate 15% of the bill, you can divide the amount by 100 and then multiply it by 15. 650 CZK ÷ 100 = 6.5 CZK 6.5 CZK × 15 = 97.5 CZK (round up to the nearest whole number) So, if you want to leave a 15% tip on a 650 CZK bill, you should leave 98 CZK as a tip.

Example 3: You have a bill for 800 CZK. How much should you leave as a tip if you want to leave 20%?

Solution: To calculate 20% of the bill, you can divide the amount by 100 and then multiply it by 20. 800 CZK ÷ 100 = 8 CZK 8 CZK × 20 = 160 CZK

So, if you want to leave a 20% tip on an 800 CZK bill, you should leave 160 CZK as a tip.

Now, let's move on to some interactive exercises to practice what we have learned.

Exercise 1: Fill in the Blanks

Complete the following sentences with the appropriate phrase to ask for the bill:

1. Prosím, ______ přinést účet? 2. Mohl bych prosím ______ účet? 3. ______, prosím. 4. Zaplatíme, ______.

Solution: 1. můžete mi 2. dostat 3. Omlouvám se 4. prosím

Exercise 2: Calculate the Tip

Calculate the tip for the following bills:

1. Bill: 350 CZK, Tip: 10% 2. Bill: 480 CZK, Tip: 15% 3. Bill: 600 CZK, Tip: 20%

Solution: 1. Tip for a 10%: 350 CZK ÷ 10 = 35 CZK 2. Tip for a 15%: 480 CZK ÷ 100 × 15 = 72 CZK 3. Tip for a 20%: 600 CZK ÷ 100 × 20 = 120 CZK

Exercise 3: Dialogue Practice

Read the following dialogue and answer the questions:

Waiter: Dobrý den, mohu vám pomoci? You: Ano, prosím. ______ dostat účet? Waiter: Samozřejmě, ______ ho přinesu.

1. How would you ask for the bill? 2. What does the waiter say in response?

Solution: 1. Mohl bych prosím 2. ihned

Conclusion

Congratulations! You have successfully learned how to ask for the bill and calculate tips in Czech restaurants. This skill will be invaluable when dining out in the Czech Republic. Remember to use polite language when asking for the bill, and consider leaving a tip if you are satisfied with the service. Keep practicing and soon you will be able to confidently handle any restaurant situation in Czech. Good luck!

Table of Contents - Czech Course - 0 to A1

• Course Presentation

  ---

Alphabet and Pronunciation

• Consonants
• Vowels
• Accents and Special Characters

  ---

Nouns and Pronouns

• Introduction to Nouns
• Personal Pronouns
• Demonstrative Pronouns
• Possessive Pronouns

  ---

Verbs

• Introduction to Verbs
• Present Tense
• Past Tense
• Future Tense

  ---

Adjectives and Adverbs

• Introduction to Adjectives
• Introduction to Adverbs
• Comparative and Superlative Forms

  ---

Greetings and Introductions

• Greetings and Farewells
• Asking for and Giving Information
• Small Talk and Expressing Likes and Dislikes

  ---

At the Restaurant

• Ordering Food
• Asking for the Bill and Tipping
• Dining Etiquette

  ---

Daily Life

• Shopping
• Transportation
• Health and Medical Emergencies

  ---

History and Traditions

• History and Czech Lands
• Festivals and Celebrations
• Czech Cuisine

  ---

Art and Heritage

• Czech Literature
• Architecture and Landmark
• Czech Film and Music

Sources

• Czech Republic: Tipping & Etiquette
• Basic Czech Phrases
• Czech Restaurant, Part 5: Asking for the Check - CzechClass101

Other Lessons

• Greetings and Farewells
• Education
• Family
• Ordering Food
• Maps
• Beverages
• Things
• Numbers
• Election
• Shapes

◀️ Ordering Food — Previous Lesson

Next Lesson — Dining Etiquette ▶️