Food & drinkBeginner
Splitting the bill in English (beginner)
Beginner English for splitting the bill. Key line: “Can we split the bill, please?”
Full script
Lin
Can we split the bill, please?
Them
Sure. Evenly, or by what each had?
Lin
By what we had, please.
Them
No problem. Did you share the fries?
Lin
Just one. I stole one fry.
Them
Then I'll charge you one fry.
Lin
Deal. And she had the cake.
Them
Got it. One fry is free today.
Key phrases
The lines worth keeping. Read them once before you go out.
Split the bill
✓ Can we split the bill, please?Polite way to ask to pay separately
Very common in restaurants
Pay your own
✓ By what we had, please.Each person pays for what they had.
Not evenly; each pays their own part
Even split
✓ Split evenly.Pay half each.
Also used to say how to pay
Shared food
✓ Did you share the fries?Checking if both ate the fries
Server checking shared food
Quick answers
Split the bill: what to say in English
Say “Can we split the bill, please?” — polite way to ask to pay separately. Very common in restaurants.
Pay your own: what to say in English
Say “By what we had, please.” — each person pays for what they had. Not evenly; each pays their own part.
Even split: what to say in English
Say “Split evenly.” — pay half each. Also used to say how to pay.
Shared food: what to say in English
Say “Did you share the fries?” — checking if both ate the fries. Server checking shared food.