SESKStuff Everyone Should Know
SESK: Stuff Everyone Should Know · sesk.info/zh-maidan-bill

How do you ask for the bill or check in a Chinese restaurant?

Call out mǎidān (买单).

Start playing free

  1. bú yào là (不要辣)
  2. mǎidān (买单) ✔
  3. diǎncài (点菜)

Why: Mǎidān (买单) literally means buy the bill, but everyone uses it for check please. In a casual spot, you can raise your hand and say mǎidān.

Huh, didn't know that: Jiézhàng (结账, 結帳 in Taiwan) also means to pay the bill, and you will hear it in Taiwan.

The dad joke
Why did the bill bring a calculator? It wanted to count on you.
Like this card?
Play the game

References

Answer: mǎidān (买单). Mǎidān (买单) literally means buy the bill, but everyone uses it for check please. In a casual spot, you can raise your hand and say mǎidān.

  1. MDBG Chinese-English Dictionary: 买单 www.mdbg.net/chinese/dictionary?page=worddict&wdrst=0&wdqb=%E4%B9%B0%E5%8D%95
    to pay the bill; to pick up the tab
    Checked 2026-10-12.
  2. MDBG Chinese-English Dictionary: 结账 www.mdbg.net/chinese/dictionary?page=worddict&wdrst=0&wdqb=%E7%BB%93%E8%B4%A6
    to settle accounts; to pay the bill
    Checked 2026-10-12.

Think this answer is wrong? Tap "Challenge this answer" on the card in the game and tell us why.

Test yourself in the game

LanguagesHow do you say 'Goodbye' in Mandarin Chinese?LanguagesHow do you say 'turn right' in Mandarin Chinese?LanguagesWhat does cèsuǒ (厕所) mean in Mandarin Chinese?

That's stuff everyone should know.