resto
/ˈrɛs.to/
The English phrase "change back" (referring to money) is resto in Italian.
In a commercial context, resto refers specifically to the amount of money returned to a customer who pays more than the actual price of an item. While the word can more broadly mean "the rest" of anything, it is the standard term for money returned after a purchase.
How does it change in a sentence?
When referring to the specific change due from a transaction, the noun resto is almost always used with the definite article il, forming il resto.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has 2 syllables, with the stress on the 1st syllable. The IPA is /ˈrɛs.to/.
Did you know?
- While resto means 'change' in a shop, the word for the coins and bills in your pocket is spiccioli. Using resto to describe your pocket money would be misunderstood by a native speaker.
- In Italy, it is common for a shopkeeper to say Tenga pure il resto to the customer, which means 'keep the change' as a polite gesture or tip.
- Italian uses resto to mean both 'change' and 'the remainder' of a group, but it cannot be used for the 'change' of a coin's denomination, such as swapping a ten-euro note for two fives.
Examples in context
- Mi scusi, potrebbe darmi il resto, per favore?Excuse me, could you give me the change back, please?
- Posso avere il resto, per piacere?Can I have the change back, please?
- Ecco il Suo resto.Here is your change.
- Tenga pure il resto.Keep the change.
Example conversation
Alessandro is paying for a coffee at a café.
- AlessandroEcco dieci euro per il caffè.Here are ten euros for the coffee.
- MartinaGrazie, Alessandro. Ecco il tuo resto.Thank you, Alessandro. Here is your change.
- AlessandroManca un euro di resto.One euro of change is missing.
- MartinaScusami, Martina ha sbagliato a contare.Sorry, Martina made a mistake counting.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry resto, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
