pagare il conto
/paˈɡa.re il ˈkon.to/word by word
To pay bill in Italian is pagare il conto.
The phrase is used to describe the action of paying for food and drinks after eating at a restaurant. While pagare il conto describes the action, you can request the bill from a waiter by saying Il conto, per favore (The bill, please). When paying, you might use contanti (cash) and may deal with subunits of the euro called centesimi (cents).
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the verb pagare (to pay) and the noun il conto (the account/the bill).
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation is /paˈɡa.re il ˈkon.to/. It has 5 syllables, and the stress is on the 2nd syllable.
Did you know?
- Interestingly, the verb pagare is a distant relative of the word 'peace', as it descends from the Latin pax through the root pacāre, meaning to pacify or settle.
- In Italy, it is common for a group of friends to fare alla romana, or 'do it Roman style', which means splitting the bill equally regardless of what each person ordered.
- In many traditional Italian cafes, you might pay your conto at a separate cash desk called the cassa rather than at the table.
Examples in context
- Posso pagare il conto, per favore?Can I pay the bill, please?
- Desidero saldare il conto, per favore.I would like to settle the bill, please.
- Dobbiamo pagare il conticino, amico mio!We need to pay the little bill, my friend!
- Mi può portare il conto, per favore? E posso pagare con carta di credito?Can you bring me the bill, please? And can I pay with a credit card?
- Posso pagare il conto con la carta?Can I pay the bill by card?
- Dobbiamo pagare il conto subito.We have to pay the bill right away.
- Vorrei pagare il conto, per favore.I would like to pay the bill, please.
Example conversation
Chiara and Lorenzo are finishing a meal at a small cafe.
- ChiaraLorenzo, ti va di pagare il conto?Lorenzo, do you want to pay the bill?
- LorenzoSì, certo, pago io oggi.Yes, sure, I'll pay today.
- ChiaraGrazie, sei molto gentile.Thank you, you are very kind.
- LorenzoDi nulla, chiamerò il cameriere.You're welcome, I will call the waiter.
