il conto
/il ˈkon.to/word by word
The English phrase "restaurant check" is il conto in Italian.
il conto refers to the printed bill given to a customer at the end of a meal showing the amount to be paid. The most common way to ask for the bill in a restaurant is to say Il conto, per favore.
Which one should you use?
While il conto refers to the bill, il conto corrente refers to a bank account. Context distinguishes the two.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of il conto is i conti.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation is /il ˈkon.to/. It has 3 syllables, with the stress on the 2nd syllable.
Did you know?
- While il conto is the bill, the act of splitting it is often handled by fare alla romana, which means everyone pays an equal share regardless of what they ordered.
- In Italy, the 'coperto' is a standard charge added to il conto for the table setting and bread, which is distinct from a tip.
- In many Italian restaurants, it is considered rude to ask for il conto immediately after finishing your food. It is customary to linger over a coffee or a digestif first to avoid rushing the service.
Examples in context
- Posso avere il conto, per favore?Can I have the check, please?
- Il conto è sul tavolo.The check is on the table.
Example conversation
Sofia and Francesco are finishing their dinner at a restaurant.
- SofiaFrancesco, chiedi tu il conto.Francesco, you ask for the check.
- FrancescoCerto, chiamo subito il cameriere.Sure, I will call the waiter right away.
- SofiaDividiamo il conto a metà?Shall we split the check in half?
- FrancescoSì, va bene per me.Yes, that works for me.
