Receipt and Bill in French: Ticket, Reçu or Facture?

If you’ve ever stood at a checkout counter in France wondering whether to ask for a ticket, a reçu, or a facture… you’re not alone.

In English, we casually use “receipt” and “bill.”
In French, the word depends entirely on the situation.

Here’s your clear, practical guide to French words for receipt and bill — and when to use each one correctly.

How to Say “Receipt” and “Bill” in French (Without Getting Confused)

Un ticket — The Everyday Store Receipt

Meaning: A small printed receipt from a register
Use it for: Shops, supermarkets, bakeries, pharmacies, cafés

This is the most common word you’ll hear in daily life. Although it’s spelled the same as in English, the pronunciation is different. In French, ticket is pronounced tee-kay (/tee-kɛ/).

At the supermarket, the cashier may ask:

Vous voulez le ticket ?
Do you want the receipt?

This refers to the little printed slip that shows what you bought.

When to use “ticket”

• Grocery store purchases
• Clothing shops
• Bakeries
• Small everyday transactions

Un reçu — Official Proof of Payment

Meaning: Written confirmation that payment has been received
Use it for: Administrative, legal, or formal contexts

A reçu is more official than a ticket. It’s not just a shopping slip — it’s proof of payment.

You might request a reçu for:

• Rent payments
• School fees
• Donations
• Administrative paperwork
• Association memberships

Example:

Pouvez-vous me faire un reçu ?
Could you issue me a receipt?

Une facture — An Invoice or Bill You Owe

Meaning: A bill requesting payment
Use it for: Utilities, contractors, professional services, online orders

This is where English speakers often get confused.

A facture is usually something you owe — not proof that you’ve already paid.

Examples:

• Electricity bill
• Internet bill
• Plumber invoice
• Accountant fees

Je dois payer cette facture avant le 15 mars.
I need to pay this bill before March 15.

After payment, you might see:

Facture acquittée
(Paid invoice)

L’addition — The Restaurant Check

Meaning: The bill at a restaurant
Use it for: Sit-down restaurants

At the end of a meal, you say:

L’addition, s’il vous plaît.

You do not usually say le ticket in a restaurant when asking for the bill.

After you pay, you may receive a printed ticket, but when requesting the check, it’s always l’addition.

5. Une note — More Formal or Professional

You’ll see this in more official or traditional contexts:

• Note de frais (expense report)
• Note d’honoraires (professional fee statement)

Some traditional restaurants may say la note, but in everyday speech, l’addition is far more common.

Quick Comparison Table

French Word	English Meaning	When To Use It
un ticket	store receipt	Everyday purchases
un reçu	official receipt	Proof of payment
une facture	invoice/bill	Money owed
l’addition	restaurant check	At the end of a meal
une note	formal bill	Professional context