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How to Say ‘The bill, please’ in Portuguese

A conta, por favor

ah KOHN-tah poor fuh-VOR

[ah KOHN-tah poor fuh-VOR]

🇵🇹 In Portugal: Waiters in Portugal rarely bring the bill unprompted, since rushing you would seem rude. You have to ask, often by catching their eye.

Phrase Breakdown

A conta,

ah KOHN-tah

The bill,

'Conta' means 'bill' or 'check'. The 'on' is nasal: 'a KÕN-ta'.

Example

A conta está certa.

The bill is correct.

Words in this phrase

A

[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

[KOHN-tah]

the bill

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

Example

A conta está certa.

The bill is correct.

por favor

poor fuh-VOR

please

This is the polite ending used in restaurants: 'pur fa-VÔR'.

Example

Mais pão, por favor.

More bread, please.

Words in this phrase

por

[poor]

for

Preposition indicating what something is in exchange for.

Example

Paguei dez euros por isto.

I paid ten euros for this.

favor

[fuh-VOR]

favor

With por, it forms please.

Example

Um momento, por "favor", enquanto verifico a data.

One moment, "please," while I check the date.

Related guides

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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