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SESK: Stuff Everyone Should Know · sesk.info/ja-check-please

At a restaurant in Japan, how do you politely ask for the check?

Okaikee, onegai-shimasu. (お会計、お願いします。)

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  1. Chekku-auto, onegai-shimasu. (チェックアウト、お願いします。)
  2. Koohii, onegai-shimasu. (コーヒー、お願いします。)
  3. Okaikee, onegai-shimasu. (お会計、お願いします。) ✔

Why: Okaikee means the bill, and onegai-shimasu means please. Chekku-auto is a hotel checkout, not a restaurant check, and koohii is coffee.

Huh, didn't know that: Many places have you pay at the register: Wiktionary's example 'Reji de kaikee o sumaseta' means 'We paid at the checkout counter.'

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References

Answer: Okaikee, onegai-shimasu. (お会計、お願いします。). Okaikee means the bill, and onegai-shimasu means please. Chekku-auto is a hotel checkout, not a restaurant check, and koohii is coffee.

  1. NHK WORLD-JAPAN Easy Japanese, Lesson 15 www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/lesson/en/lessons/15.html
    Check, please. お会計、お願いします。 Okaikee, onegai-shimasu.
    Checked 2026-10-11.
  2. Wiktionary: 会計 en.wiktionary.org/wiki/%E4%BC%9A%E8%A8%88
    Reji de kaikei o sumaseta. We paid at the checkout counter.
    Checked 2026-10-11.

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