What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of possiamo (we can), avere (to have) and il conto (the bill/account).
Which one should you use?
While possiamo avere il conto? is a standard way to ask, you might use Il conto, per favore. for a more common and natural request. In very casual settings, you can simply say Il conto to catch a waiter's attention.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
For a formal approach, you can use Potrei avere il conto, per favore? (Could I have the bill, please?) or Vorrei il conto, per cortesia. (I would like the bill, please.). In more casual environments, a simple Il conto is acceptable.
How does it change in a sentence?
If you are dining alone, you should change the verb from the first-person plural possiamo (we can) to the first-person singular posso (I can) to say posso avere il conto?
Did you know?
- In many traditional Italian restaurants, the waiter will never bring the conto until you explicitly ask for it, as doing so unprompted can be seen as rushing the guests.
- While conto refers to the bill, the Italian word coperto often appears on it, referring to a standard cover charge for the bread and table setting.
- The word conto is a linguistic relative of the English word 'compute'. Both share an ancestry in the Latin 'computus', which refers to the act of calculating.
Examples in context
- Scusi, possiamo avere il conto?Excuse me, can we have the bill?
- Siamo pronti, possiamo avere il conto?We are ready, can we have the bill?
- È stato tutto ottimo, possiamo avere il conto?Everything was excellent, can we have the bill?
Example conversation
Chiara and Alessandro are finishing dinner at a small restaurant.
- ChiaraAlessandro, è stato tutto buonissimo.Alessandro, everything was delicious.
- AlessandroSì, è vero. Possiamo avere il conto?Yes, it's true. Can we have the bill?
- ChiaraChiamo subito il cameriere.I will call the waiter immediately.
- AlessandroGrazie, Chiara.Thanks, Chiara.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries avere, conto, il, CC BY-SA 4.0.
