Published April 5, 2026 — Lesson written by French teacher David Issokson for students who want to learn French online, with native audio by Marie Assel Cambier, a voice artist from France.
📘 Addition meaning
L’addition means “the check” or “the bill” in a restaurant, and it also means “addition” in math. For example, you’ll hear l’addition, s’il vous plaît (The bill, please) and in expressions like payer l’addition (to pay the bill). In the context of paying a restaurant bill, l’addition can be considered a false cognate (faux ami), because it does not mean “addition” as in math. In math, l’addition refers to adding numbers, as in l’addition de deux et deux fait quatre (Two plus two equals four). 🔊 Hear real examples now.
🎧 Addition pronunciation
The pronunciation of addition is /a.di.sjɔ̃/ (IPA), which sounds roughly like “la-dee-syon”.
📝 Addition examples
Excusez-moi, l’addition, s’il vous plaît.
Excuse me, the bill, please.
Elle vérifie l’addition avant de payer.
She checks the bill before paying.
Ils doivent payer l’addition avant de partir.
They must pay the bill before leaving.
L’addition de deux et deux fait quatre.
Two plus two equals four.
👉 See also: Restaurant phrases (with audio) »
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🔗 Related words and expressions
- l’addition salée — a hefty bill
- l’addition, s’il vous plaît — the bill, please
- payer l’addition — to pay the bill
- régler l’addition — to settle the bill
- partager l’addition — to split the bill
- diviser l’addition — to divide the bill
- faire l’addition — to do the addition (math)
- une note — a bill (restaurant, informal)
- une facture — an invoice / bill (formal)
📚 Related lessons
👉 False cognates »
👉 French restaurant phrases »
👉 Math terms »
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