conti separati
In Italian, "separate checks" is conti separati.
This phrase is used to request that each person in a group pays for their own meal and drinks at a restaurant. It is most common and polite to make this request at the beginning of the meal or when ordering, rather than waiting until the end when the bill arrives.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the plural noun conti (checks/bills) and the plural adjective separati (separate).
How does it change in a sentence?
If you are only requesting one separate check (for example, if you are splitting a bill between only two people), you use the singular form conto separato.
When do people say it?
A common way to suggest splitting the bill to your companions is to ask Facciamo conti separati? (Shall we do separate checks?).
Did you know?
- If you want to split a single bill into equal parts rather than individual orders, you should ask for 'fare alla romana', which literally means 'to do it the Roman way'.
- In many traditional Italian restaurants, requesting conti separati is seen as a breach of social etiquette and may be viewed as 'stingy' or 'uncultured'.
- The word conto comes from the Latin 'computus', making it a direct relative of the English word 'compute'.
Examples in context
- Vorremmo dei conti separati.We'd like separate checks.This sentence is useful for expressing a desire for conti separati.Tatoeba #3374810 by Guybrush88, translation #21100 by CK
- Vorremmo dei conti separati, per favore.We'd like separate checks, please.This sentence is useful for politely requesting conti separati.Tatoeba #6550091 by Guybrush88, translation #279073 by CK
- Possiamo fare conti separati?Can we do separate checks?
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Francesco and Giulia are finishing their meal at a restaurant.
- FrancescoGiulia, come vogliamo pagare?Giulia, how do we want to pay?
- GiuliaPreferisco fare conti separati.I prefer to do separate checks.
- FrancescoVa bene, chiamo il cameriere.Alright, I'll call the waiter.
- GiuliaGrazie, Francesco.Thanks, Francesco.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
