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How to Say ‘Shall we ask for the bill?’ in Portuguese

Vamos pedir a conta?

VAH-moosh peh-DEER uh KOHN-tah

[VAH-moosh peh-DEER uh KOHN-tah]

🇵🇹 In Portugal: In Portugal the waiter won't bring the bill until you ask. Lingering at the table is normal, so someone has to make this move.

Phrase Breakdown

Vamos pedir

VAH-moosh peh-DEER

Shall we ask for

'Vamos' plus an infinitive makes a suggestion. The final 's' sounds like 'sh': 'VA-mush pe-DEER'.

Example

Vamos pedir uma pizza?

Shall we order a pizza?

Words in this phrase

Vamos

[VAH-moosh]

let's go / let's

"Vamos" often means let's when suggesting a joint action.

Example

Vamos falar com os recrutadores depois da apresentação.

Let's talk to the recruiters after the presentation.

pedir

[peh-DEER]

to ask for

Verb meaning to request or order something, e.g. food or the bill.

Example

Vou pedir a sobremesa.

I'm going to order dessert.

a conta?

uh KOHN-tah

the bill

'Conta' has a nasal 'on'. Keep the article joined to it: 'a KON-tuh'.

Example

Já trouxeram a conta?

Have they brought the bill yet?

Words in this phrase

[uh]

the

Feminine singular definite article, meaning 'the'.

Example

A empresa parece aberta a novas ideias.

The company seems open to new ideas.

conta

[KOHN-tah]

the bill

Feminine noun for the bill or check in a restaurant or café; also means an account.

Example

Pode trazer a conta?

Can you bring the bill?

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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