posso avere il conto?
The Italian phrase for "can I have the bill?" is posso avere il conto?
posso avere il conto? is a polite request used in a restaurant to ask for the total amount of money owed for a meal. Within this context, the word conto refers specifically to a restaurant bill or a bank account. It is not used for a formal invoice, which would be a fattura.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of posso (I can), avere (to have), il (the) and conto (the bill/account).
Which one should you use?
While posso avere il conto? is a standard way to ask, you can also use the shorter and very common phrase Il conto, per favore, which translates to "The bill, please."
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
For more elegant or formal interactions, you might use Mi può portare il conto, per favore? or Potrebbe portarmi il conto, grazie?, both of which mean "Could you bring me the bill, please?" Additionally, using the verb portare (to bring) with the polite mi porta in the phrase Mi porta il conto, per favore? is a common and slightly more elegant way to make the request than using posso avere.
Did you know?
Examples in context
- Posso avere il conto, per favore? Pago con carta di creditoCan I have the bill, please? I'll pay with a credit card
- Scusi, posso avere il conto?Excuse me, can I have the bill?
Example conversation
Francesco and Sofia are finishing their dinner at a restaurant.
- FrancescoIl cibo era ottimo. Posso avere il conto?The food was great. Can I have the bill?
- SofiaCerto, arrivo subito con lo scontrino.Of course, I'll be right back with the receipt.
- FrancescoGrazie mille, Sofia.Thank you very much, Sofia.
- SofiaPrego, Francesco. Ecco a Lei.You're welcome, Francesco. Here it is.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries avere, conto, il, CC BY-SA 4.0.
