Splitting the bill

Informal Neutral

What it really means

Sharing the cost of a meal, usually equally ("shall we split it?"). Very common among friends and colleagues in the UK — nobody fights to pay for everyone like in China. Card machines can often split payments for you.

Chinese explanation

分摊餐费，通常是平摊（"shall we split it?"）。在英国朋友同事间非常普遍——不会像在中国那样抢着买单。刷卡机通常可以直接帮你们分开付。

Example conversation

A: Shall we just split it four ways? B: Yeah, easiest. About fifteen quid each.

A：我们四个人平摊吧？ B：行，最省事。每人差不多十五镑。

What you could say back

“Splitting is fine with me.”

Related phrases

Could we get the bill, please? Card or cash? A round

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Reviewed by the UK Decoded editorial team · Last checked 24 July 2026 · Report a mistake