possiamo avere il conto?
The English phrase "can we get the bill" is translated into Italian as possiamo avere il conto?
This phrase is a way to ask for the total amount of money owed for a meal in a restaurant.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
While possiamo avere il conto? is a correct way to ask, the phrase Il conto, per favore. (The bill, please) is a more common and natural way to request the bill in a restaurant setting.
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb possiamo is the first-person plural form of potere (to be able to/can), which is used here to include both the speaker and their companions in the request.
When do people say it?
In Italy, it is standard practice to wait for the waiter to bring the bill after you have requested it. They will not bring it automatically because they do not want to rush you.
Did you know?
- While English speakers often split the bill, the tradition of fare alla romana means everyone pays an equal share regardless of what they ordered.
- When asking for il conto, many Italians use a hand gesture by mimicking writing in the air with their finger to signal the waiter from a distance.
- The word conto shares the same Latin root as the English word 'compute'.
Examples in context
- Scusi, possiamo avere il conto per favore?Excuse me, may we have the bill, please?
- Mi scusi, potrebbe portarci il conto?Excuse me, could you bring us the bill?
- Per favore, puoi portarci il conto?Please, can you bring us the bill?
- Scusa, possiamo avere il conto?Sorry, can we have the bill?
- Scusi, possiamo avere il conto?Excuse me, can we get the bill?
- Siamo pronti, possiamo avere il conto?We are ready, can we get the bill?
Example conversation
Sofia and Alessandro are finishing their dinner at a restaurant.
- SofiaAlessandro, possiamo avere il conto?Alessandro, can we get the bill?
- AlessandroSì, chiamo subito il cameriere.Yes, I will call the waiter right away.
- SofiaGrazie, voglio pagare con la carta.Thanks, I want to pay with the card.
- AlessandroVa bene, lo dico io.That's fine, I'll tell him.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries avere, conto, il, CC BY-SA 4.0.
