portare il conto
/porˈta.re il ˈkon.to/word by word
To say "bring the check" in Italian is portare il conto.
The phrase is used to request a bill from a server at a restaurant. The specific term conto refers to the bill or the check in a dining context.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
While portare il conto is a literal way to express the request, the most common and natural way to ask for the bill in a restaurant is to simply say Il conto, per favore. You can also use the polite question Mi porta il conto? which uses the third-person singular to address the server.
How does it change in a sentence?
When using the polite 'Lei' form to ask a server, the verb portare changes to the subjunctive porti. This occurs in phrases like Vorrei che Lei porti il conto or more commonly in the indirect request Mi porti il conto.
How do you pronounce it?
The phrase portare il conto has 5 syllables and is pronounced /porˈta.re il ˈkon.to/. The stress is on the second syllable.
Did you know?
- In Italy, it is common to signal a server for il conto with a subtle hand gesture, such as mimicking writing in the air with an index finger.
- The word conto is a linguistic doublet of the Italian words computo and compito, as all three descend from the Latin computus.
- Splitting the bill is so frequent in Italian dining that servers will often preempt your request by asking Insieme o separati? to determine if the check should be one total or divided.
Examples in context
- Scusi, può portare il conto, per favore?Excuse me, can you bring the check, please?
- Potrebbe portare il conto quando ha un momento?Could you bring the check when you have a moment?
Example conversation
Martina and Matteo are finishing their lunch at a small cafe.
- MartinaMatteo, hai finito di mangiare?Matteo, have you finished eating?
- MatteoSì, è stato ottimo. Chiediamo il conto?Yes, it was great. Shall we ask for the check?
- MartinaSì, scusi! Può portare il conto, per favore?Yes, excuse me! Can you bring the check, please?
- MatteoGrazie, Martina. Pago io oggi.Thanks, Martina. I am paying today.
