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How to Say ‘The bill, please.’ in Portuguese

A conta, por favor.

ah KON-tah poor fah-VOHR

[ah KON-tah poor fah-VOHR]

🇵🇹 In Portugal: In Portugal the waiter won't bring the bill until you ask, since bringing it early can feel like rushing you. Catch their eye and say this, or mime writing in the air.

Phrase Breakdown

A conta,

ah KON-tah

The bill,

'Conta' means 'bill/check' in a restaurant. The 'on' is nasal: 'uh KOHN-tuh'.

Example

A conta está certa.

The bill is correct.

Words in this phrase

[ah]

the (feminine singular)

Same article "a" used before a feminine noun; often unstressed in speech.

Example

A estação é ali à direita.

The station is right there on the right.

conta

[KON-tah]

bill

In restaurants or cafés, this means the bill or check.

Example

Pode trazer a conta, por favor?

Can you bring the bill, please?

por favor.

poor fah-VOHR

please.

This is the polite word, stressed at the end: 'poor fuh-VOR'.

Example

Água, por favor.

Water, please.

Words in this phrase

por

[poor]

Please

Used to make a request more polite.

Example

Poderia ajudar-me, por favor?

Could you help me, please?

favor

[fah-VOHR]

Please

Used to make a request more polite.

Example

Diga-me por favor se está tudo bem.

Please tell me if everything is okay.

Guides for Portuguese learners

The Portuguese You Actually Need in Your First Month in PortugalThe European Portuguese phrases for your first weeks in Portugal: paperwork, renting a flat, the bank, the health centre, cafés, trains and your new neighbours.

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