a conta, por favor
/a ˈkõ.tɐ ˈpoʁ faˈvoʁ/
In Portuguese, "bill please" is expressed as a conta, por favor.
This phrase is a polite request for the check at a restaurant or cafe. To get a waiter's attention, you can prepend the word Garçom to the phrase.
What does it mean word for word?
The part a conta literally means "the bill" or "the account".
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Portugal, some common ways to ask for the bill include pode trazer-me a conta, se faz favor, traga-me a conta, por favor and a conta, se faz favor.
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun conta is feminine, so it must be preceded by the feminine article a.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation is /a ˈkõ.tɐ ˈpoʁ faˈvoʁ/. The phrase has 5 syllables and the stress is on the second syllable.
Did you know?
- Depending on the context, a conta can refer to a bead on a necklace or a rosary.
- In Brazil, it is common to make a writing gesture in the air with your hand while saying a conta, por favor to signal that you want the check.
- The word conta can also be used in the phrase por conta de, which means 'because of' or 'on behalf of'.
Examples in context
- Garçom, a conta, por favor.Waiter, the bill please.This sentence is useful for addressing the waiter directly.Tatoeba #5288290 by ToinhoAlam, translation #2063902 by Eldad
- Você pode nos trazer a conta, por favor?Could you bring us the bill, please?This sentence shows how to ask if the waiter can bring the bill.Tatoeba #988811 by alexmarcelo, translation #984114 by CM
- A conta, por favor.Could I have the bill, please?This sentence is a simple way to ask for the bill.Tatoeba #340431 by tinacalysto, translation #435203 by CK
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Felipe and Camila are finishing their lunch at a cafe.
- FelipeTudo estava ótimo. Vou pedir a conta, por favor.Everything was great. I will ask for the bill, please.
- CamilaEu também já terminei meu café.I have finished my coffee as well.
- FelipeCom licença, a conta, por favor!Excuse me, the bill, please!
- CamilaEu pago a conta desta vez, Felipe.I'll pay the bill this time, Felipe.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry a conta, por favor, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
