Go Dutch
Meaning: To split a bill so that each person pays for their own meal or drinks.
'Going Dutch' means everyone pays their own way. It's increasingly common in American culture, especially among friends and on early dates. While traditional American etiquette says one person should pick up the tab, going Dutch has become the modern norm for casual meals.
Examples
- Let's go Dutch on this one — the bill is too big for one person. 这次咱们AA吧——账单太多了,一个人扛不住。Vamos a pagar a escote — la cuenta es demasiado grande para una sola persona.今回は割り勘にしよう——全額は一人には多すぎるよ。이번에는 각자 내자——한 사람이 내기엔 금액이 너무 커.
- They went Dutch on the first date so nobody felt obligated. 他们第一次约会选择了AA制,这样谁都没有负担。Pagaron a escote en la primera cita para que nadie se sintiera en deuda.初デートは割り勘にして、どちらも負担を感じないようにした。첫 데이트에서 각자 냈어, 서로 부담 없게.
- We always go Dutch at group dinners — it's just easier. 聚餐我们总是AA——这样最省事。En las cenas de grupo siempre pagamos a escote — es más fácil así.グループの食事はいつも割り勘——そのほうが楽だから。단체 식사 때는 항상 각자 내——그게 더 편하거든.
Pronunciation
Usage Guide
Context: dining out, splitting bills, dates
Tone: practical, casual
✓ Do Say
- Let's go Dutch.咱们AA吧。Vamos a escote.割り勘にしよう。각자 내자.
- Are we going Dutch or is someone treating?我们AA还是有人请客?¿Pagamos a escote o invita alguien?割り勘?それとも誰かがおごる?각자 내는 거야, 아니면 누가 쏘는 거야?
✗ Don't Say
- Be aware that the phrase has ethnically insensitive origins — some people prefer 'split the check' or 'go halves' instead注意这个短语有带种族不敏感的起源——有些人更喜欢用'split the check'或'go halves'来代替Ten en cuenta que la expresión en inglés tiene orígenes étnicamente insensibles — algunas personas prefieren decir 'split the check' o 'go halves' en su lugarこの表現には民族的に不適切な由来があることに注意——「split the check」(会計を分ける)や「go halves」(折半する)を好む人もいる이 표현이 민족적으로 불쾌한 기원을 가지고 있다는 점에 유의할 것——'split the check'이나 'go halves'를 선호하는 사람도 있다
Origin & History
Dates to the 17th century, originating from British stereotypes about Dutch thriftiness. Despite its politically incorrect origins, the phrase has been used in American English for centuries and remains common today.
Cultural Context
Era: 17th century origin, common American usage
Generation: All ages
Social background: Universal
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