Greetings! If you’re visiting Portugal or any Portuguese-speaking country and find yourself at a restaurant or café, it’s essential to know how to ask for “the bill” when you’re ready to pay. In this guide, we’ll explore the formal and informal ways to say “the bill” in Portuguese, providing you with useful tips and examples along the way. So, let’s dive right in!
Table of Contents
Formal Ways to Say “The Bill” in Portuguese
When it comes to formal situations, like in upscale restaurants or business settings, you should use more polite and respectful language. Here are some common expressions:
1. A Conta
The most common formal expression for “the bill” in Portuguese is “a conta.” This expression works well across all Portuguese-speaking countries, including Portugal, Brazil, Angola, Mozambique, and others. Therefore, don’t hesitate to use it!
Example:
Waiter: Boa noite! Está tudo bem? Desejam mais alguma coisa?
You: Não, obrigado. A conta, por favor. (“No, thank you. The bill, please.”)
Informal Ways to Say “The Bill” in Portuguese
When you’re in a more casual setting, among friends or in small local eateries, using a formal expression might sound too stiff. Instead, you can opt for more relaxed and informal alternatives:
1. A Conta, Se Faz Favor
This informal expression is similar to the previous one but conveys a friendlier tone. By adding “se faz favor” (please) at the end, you make your request sound more polite and kind.
Example:
Waiter: Oi! Como estão? Mais alguma coisa?
You: Não, obrigado. A conta, se faz favor. (“No, thank you. The bill, please.”)
2. Me Pode Trazer a Conta?
In a more casual environment, you can use this phrase to ask the waiter to bring the bill. It’s an informal yet friendly way of expressing your request.
Example:
Waiter: Fala aí! Tudo tranquilo? Posso trazer mais alguma coisa?
You: Não, obrigado. Me pode trazer a conta? (“No, thank you. Can you bring me the bill?”)
Regional Variations
Portuguese is spoken across various regions, and some countries have specific variations when it comes to everyday language usage. Here are a few regional variations of how to say “the bill” in Portuguese:
1. Brazil
In Brazil, you can use the expression “a conta” just like in Portugal. However, it’s also common to say “a comanda” or “a nota” depending on the region.
2. Cape Verde
In Cape Verde, people often use “a nota” or “a conta” to refer to the bill.
3. Angola and Mozambique
Similarly, in Angola and Mozambique, you can simply use “a conta” to ask for the bill.
Remember, these regional variations may exist, but they won’t cause any confusion if you use “a conta” throughout Portuguese-speaking countries. Now, let’s summarize what you’ve learned so far:
Summary
To recap, use these expressions to ask for “the bill” in Portuguese:
- Formal: A conta
- Informal: A conta, se faz favor
- Informal: Me pode trazer a conta?
Remember that regardless of your choice, using a polite tone and saying “obrigado” (thank you) will always be appreciated.
Now, armed with these useful phrases, feel confident when dining out or enjoying a cup of coffee in a Portuguese-speaking country. Enjoy your meal, pay the bill, and have a fantastic time exploring the local culture!
Boa sorte! (Good luck!)
