New here? This is lesson 112 of a free 238-lesson Spanish course.
Free Spanish CourseLesson 112 of 238
Paying a bill in Spanish
Justin visits a payment counter that isn't Café Laurel, carrying a phone bill and his wallet.
He'll say what he wants to pay, ask what he owes, and ask for proof.
The clerk uses usted, so listen for the polite forms in this practical errand.
By the end of this lesson
Pay a bill, ask what you owe, and request a receipt.
- Quiero pagar ___I want to pay ___
- ¿Cuánto debo?How much do I owe?
- Aquí está el reciboHere's the bill
- ¿Me puede dar un comprobante?Can I get a receipt?
- ¿Se puede pagar en efectivo?Can I pay cash?
- Listo, ya quedóDone, it's paid
Scene — a payment counter
Justin stands at a small payment counter, not at Café Laurel. He has a phone bill, cash, and an empty folder ready for the receipt.
The clerk speaks politely with usted and checks the bill before accepting Justin's payment.
Learn — paying and getting proof
These six chunks help you manage a payment from the first request to the final confirmation.
Notice how usted appears in the clerk's questions, while Justin uses quiero and debo for himself.
Quiero pagar ___
I want to pay ___
When to use it: Say this when you want to pay a specific bill or service.
Learn quiero pagar as one piece, then add the bill.
¿Cuánto debo?
How much do I owe?
When to use it: Ask this when you need to know the amount you must pay.
Debo comes from deber, meaning to owe or have to pay.
Say it: KWAHN-toh DEH-boh
Aquí está el recibo
Here's the bill
When to use it: Use this while handing someone the bill or payment document.
Recibo can mean a bill or a receipt, depending on the moment.
¿Me puede dar un comprobante?
Can I get a receipt?
When to use it: Ask this politely when you want written proof that you paid.
Me puede dar uses usted politeness with the clerk.
Say it: meh PWEH-deh dahr
¿Se puede pagar en efectivo?
Can I pay cash?
When to use it: Ask whether cash is an accepted way to pay.
Se puede asks whether something is possible or allowed.
Listo, ya quedó
Done, it's paid
When to use it: Say this when the payment is finished and settled.
Ya quedó is a common Mexican way to say it's taken care of.
Story — a phone bill
Watch Justin pay a phone bill at a separate counter. The highlighted chunks show what he says and what the clerk confirms.
The clerk uses usted, and Justin leaves with proof of payment. Turn on Show English if you need it.
- Justin arrives at a payment counter with his phone bill and cash.
- ClerkBuenos días.Good morning.
JustinQuiero pagar el teléfono.I want to pay the phone bill.- ClerkClaro, pase su recibo.Sure, hand me your bill.
- Justin¿Cuánto debo?How much do I owe?
- ClerkSon ochenta pesos.It's eighty pesos.
- Justin¿Se puede pagar en efectivo?Can I pay cash?
- ClerkSí, se puede.Yes, you can.
- JustinAquí está el recibo.Here's the bill.
- Justin¿Me puede dar un comprobante?Can I get a receipt?
- ClerkSí, aquí tiene.Yes, here you go.
- JustinGracias.Thank you.
- ClerkListo, ya quedó.Done, it's paid.
Practice — pay the bill
You'll identify meanings, match payment phrases, choose replies, and build a complete confirmation.
The final exercises ask you to recall the chunks while handing over a bill and requesting proof.
0 of 9 done
What did you hear?
What did you hear?
Match the pairs
Spanish
¿Cuánto debo?Drop the English hereAquí está el reciboDrop the English here¿Me puede dar un comprobante?Drop the English hereEnglish
What do you say?
What do you say?
You have cash in your hand and want to know whether the counter accepts it.
Build the line
Build the line
Done, it's paid
,
Tap the words in order.
What does it mean?
What does it mean?
Buenos días.
What do you say?
What do you say?
You look at the bill but can't find the amount. Ask the clerk what you owe.
Pick the reply
Clerk says:
Pick the reply
Aquí tiene su comprobante.
Here is your receipt.
And you reply with:
What do you say?
What do you say?
You have paid and the clerk gives you the receipt. Confirm that everything is finished.
What do you say?
What do you say?
The clerk has accepted your payment, and you want written proof for your records.
Say it — handle the payment
Now you're Justin at the payment counter. Respond to the clerk, and ask for the proof you need.
Tap ▶ to hear each model line, then tap the microphone. Your recording stays on your device.
- ClerkBuenos días. ¿Qué necesita?Good morning. What do you need?
- Justin (you)Say that you want to pay the phone bill.
Say that you want to pay the phone bill.
Quiero pagar ___
I want to pay ___
0 of 6 said
Recap — what you can say now
| Spanish | English | Play |
|---|---|---|
| Quiero pagar ___ | I want to pay ___ | |
| ¿Cuánto debo? | How much do I owe? | |
| Aquí está el recibo | Here's the bill | |
| ¿Me puede dar un comprobante? | Can I get a receipt? | |
| ¿Se puede pagar en efectivo? | Can I pay cash? | |
| Listo, ya quedó | Done, it's paid |
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Keep practicing with Yak Cards
Want to review payment phrases anywhere? Grab the Yak Cards for this lesson.
Use the cards to practice asking the amount, choosing cash, and requesting proof.
Open Yak Cards