Questions & Answers about Если счёт оплачен, оставь чаевые на столе.
Why is there a comma in Если счёт оплачен, оставь чаевые на столе?
In Russian, a subordinate clause introduced by если (if) is normally separated from the main clause by a comma.
So Если счёт оплачен (the condition) + comma + оставь чаевые на столе (the instruction).
What exactly is счёт here, and how do I pronounce it?
счёт means the bill/check (in a restaurant) or an account (bank account), depending on context. Here it’s the restaurant bill.
Pronunciation: счёт is stressed on the only syllable, and ё is pronounced yo: roughly shchyot.
Why does it say счёт оплачен instead of a verb like “paid” (e.g., оплатили)?
оплачен is a short passive participle meaning (it is) paid / has been paid—it focuses on the resulting state: the bill is already settled.
Compare:
- Счёт оплачен. = The bill is paid (status/result).
- Счёт оплатили. = They paid the bill (focus on the action/actor).
Why is оплачен in that form—what does it agree with?