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Lesson 141 of 240

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Treating friends to dinner in English

Tasha meets Ana in a booth at the Blue Plate after dinner. The plates are empty, and it is time to pay.

When the check comes, Tasha says the meal is on her. Ana wants to split it, and she asks about a 20 percent tip.

By the end, you'll ask for the check, offer to treat, split a bill, and talk about the tip.

Could we is the polite way. Can we is the casual way you hear with friends.

By the end of this lesson

Pay for a meal, offer to treat, and split the bill.

  • Could we get the check?Please bring the bill.
  • Can we split it?Can we each pay our part?
  • It's on me.I will pay for everyone.
  • Next time it's my treat.Next time I will pay.
  • I'll leave about 20 percent.I'll add extra money for the server, about twenty percent.
  • Do you want to split the tip?Should we share the extra money for the server?

Scene — the check is here

Same evening at the Blue Plate. Tasha and Ana sit in a red booth by the window. Empty plates sit between them.

Dee walks over with the coffee pot. Murray is at the end of the counter on two stools, with a black coffee he has not finished.

The jukebox by the door stays quiet.

Tasha and Ana rest beside empty plates in the window booth while Murray sits at the counter with unfinished coffee.

Learn — treat and split

Six lines cover the check, splitting the bill, treating a friend, and a 20 percent tip.

You'll ask with Could we, then use Can we with a friend.

  1. Ana raises a hand from the booth to get Dee's attention as Dee pauses with the coffee pot.

    Could we get the check?

    Please bring the bill.

    When to use it: Say this at the table when you want the bill.

    Could we is a polite way to ask together.

    Say it: Could and we can link.

  2. Tasha gestures toward the newly delivered bill while Dee waits beside the booth.

    Can we split it?

    Can we each pay our part?

    When to use it: Say this when you want to share the cost.

    Can we is the casual way, next to Could we.

  3. Ana pauses in mild confusion over Tasha's offer to pay and draws the check closer.

    It's on me.

    I will pay for everyone.

    When to use it: Say this when you will pay for the group.

    This means you pay, not that a thing sits on you.

    Say it: Say It's as one short piece.

  4. Tasha presses a palm to the chest and reaches toward the check to make the offer to pay clear.

    Next time it's my treat.

    Next time I will pay.

    When to use it: Say this after a friend pays for you now.

    It's is a contraction, so learn it as one piece.

  5. Ana places extra paper money beside an empty plate for the server.

    I'll leave about 20 percent.

    I'll add extra money for the server, about twenty percent.

    When to use it: Say this about extra money for the server.

    I'll is a contraction, and people often leave about this much.

    Say it: The stress is on cent.

  6. Tasha offers a contribution toward the extra money while Ana makes space for it beside the plate.

    Do you want to split the tip?

    Should we share the extra money for the server?

    When to use it: Ask this when you may share the extra money.

    Tip here means extra money for the server.

    Say it: The word to can sound like tuh.

Story — tasha pays

Watch Tasha and Ana pay at the booth. Tasha wants to treat, and Ana asks about the tip.

The highlighted words are the lines you just learned.

  1. Tasha and Ana sit in a red booth. Empty plates sit between them.
  2. TashaWell, I'm full.She ate enough and feels done.
  3. AnaExcuse me. Could we get the check?She gets Dee's attention and asks her to bring the bill.
  4. DeeHere you go, hon.She brings the bill and sets it down.
  5. TashaHow much is it?you ask the price
  6. DeeIt's $48.50, hon.She tells them the total for the meal.
  7. TashaIt's on me.I will pay for everyone.
  8. AnaOn you? Like on your jacket?She thinks the words mean the check sits on Tasha's clothes.
  9. TashaNo. I pay for both of us.She explains in plain words that she will pay.
  10. AnaCan we split it?Can we each pay our part?
  11. TashaNot tonight.She will pay this time.
  12. AnaNext time it's my treat.Next time I will pay.
  13. TashaThank you.you say this when someone helps you
  14. Ana looks at the number on the check. The jukebox by the door stays quiet.
  15. AnaI'll leave about 20 percent.I'll add extra money for the server, about twenty percent.
  16. TashaOkay.She accepts that plan.
  17. AnaDo you want to split the tip?Should we share the extra money for the server?
  18. TashaSure. Let's split it.She agrees to share the extra money for the server.

Practice — who pays

Ten short exercises wait here. You'll listen, pick, fill a gap, and build a line.

They stay small, so you can move fast.

0 of 10 done

  1. What did you hear?

  2. What do you say?

    Dee is at the counter. You need her to come to the booth.

  3. What does it mean?

    It's on me.

  4. Fill the gap

    I'll add extra money for the server, about twenty percent.

    I'll leave about 20 ____.

  5. Pick the reply

    Tasha says:

    I'll pay for dinner. What about the extra for Dee?

    She will pay for the food and asks about extra money for the server.

    And you reply with:

  6. Build the line

    Can we each pay our part?

    ?

    Tap the words in order.

  7. Swap the word

    Tasha paid tonight. You will pay on the next visit.

    ____ time it's my treat.

  8. True or false?

    You say this to ask a friend to pay.

  9. What do you say?

    The check is on the table. You want to know the price of the meal.

  10. Put the chat in order

    1. TashaWhat comes first?
    2. Ana…
    3. Tasha…
    4. Ana…

    Tap the line that comes next, or drag it into the chat.

Say it — say it in the booth

Now you're Ana in the booth with Tasha after dinner. When it's your turn, tap the microphone and speak the line.

Tap play first if you want to hear the line. Your recording stays on your device.

  1. DeeYou two all set, hon?She checks if they are finished.
  2. Ana (you)Ask her for the bill in a polite way.

    Could we get the check?

    Please bring the bill.

0 of 5 said

Recap — what you can say now

EnglishSimple English
Could we get the check?Please bring the bill.
Can we split it?Can we each pay our part?
It's on me.I will pay for everyone.
Next time it's my treat.Next time I will pay.
I'll leave about 20 percent.I'll add extra money for the server, about twenty percent.
Do you want to split the tip?Should we share the extra money for the server?
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