What does it mean word for word?
The phrase literally translates to 'can [you] bring the bill?'
Which one should you use?
You can also use the shorter phrase a conta, por favor ('the bill, please') as a very common alternative. For more emphasis on politeness, you can use the conditional form poderia trazer a conta? instead of pode trazer a conta?
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
While pode trazer a conta? is standard, you can increase the level of politeness by using Poderia trazer a conta, por favor? or Por gentileza, me traria a conta? In more casual settings, you might use the informal Me traz a conta, por favor?
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Brazil, you can use Pode trazer a conta, por favor? or Você pode me trazer a conta? to ask for the bill.
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun conta is feminine, which is why it is preceded by the feminine article a in the phrase a conta.
Did you know?
- In many Portuguese restaurants, saying a conta is often accompanied by a hand gesture that mimics writing on a palm with an invisible pen.
- The word conta comes from the verb contar, which means 'to count' or 'to tell a story', linking your bill to the act of counting.
- In Brazil, it is common to tip by adding a percentage to the bill directly, often called 'dez por cento', so when you ask for a conta, you should check if the service charge is already included.
Examples in context
- Com licença, pode trazer a conta?Excuse me, can you bring the bill?
- Já terminamos, pode trazer a conta?We are finished, can you bring the bill?
Example conversation
Mariana and Gabriel are finishing their dinner at a restaurant.
- MarianaO jantar estava ótimo, não acha, Gabriel?The dinner was great, don't you think, Gabriel?
- GabrielSim, eu adorei tudo!Yes, I loved everything!
- MarianaVou chamar o garçom. Pode trazer a conta?I'll call the waiter. Can I have the bill?
- GabrielCerto, eu pago a conta hoje.Right, I will pay the bill today.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries a, conta, trazer, CC BY-SA 4.0.
