Which one should you use?
Depending on the level of politeness or the specific nuance you want to convey, several forms can be used. Posso avere il conto, per favore? translates to 'May I have the check, please?' Mi può portare il conto, per cortesia? translates to 'Could you bring me the check, please?' and Potrei avere il conto, per piacere? translates to 'Could I have the check, please?' For a more casual tone, you can use the informal Mi passi il conto, per piacere?, which means 'Can you pass me the check, please?' If you want to be very brief, a very common alternative is to simply say il conto, per favore.
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun conto is masculine, which is why it is preceded by the masculine article il in the phrase il conto.
How do you pronounce it?
/mi ˈpɔr.ta il ˈkon.to/
Did you know?
- In many Italian restaurants, you can signal that you want il conto by making a writing gesture in the air with your hand toward the server.
- In Italy, the check is rarely brought to the table automatically. It is considered polite to wait until you explicitly ask for il conto before the server presents it.
- The word conto shares an unexpected ancestry with the English word 'count'. Both derive from the Latin 'computus', which relates to the act of calculating or reckoning.
Examples in context
- No, grazie. Mi potrebbe portare il conto, per favore?No, thank you. Could you bring me the check, please?
- Sì, mi dà il conto, per cortesia?Yes, can you give me the check, please?
- Scusi, mi porta il conto, per favore?Excuse me, may I have the check, please?
- Mi porta il conto quando ha un momento?Will you bring me the bill when you have a moment?
Example conversation
Giulia and Matteo are finishing their meal at a small cafe.
- GiuliaIl pranzo era ottimo, Matteo.The lunch was excellent, Matteo.
- MatteoHai ragione, chiamiamo il cameriere.You are right, let's call the waiter.
- GiuliaScusi, mi porta il conto?Excuse me, may I have the check?
- MatteoLo porterà subito.He will bring it right away.
