A guide to saying it like a local
How to Say "Could we get the bill" in Italian
Politely ask for the bill at an Italian restaurant or cafe. Simple and effective.
Il conto, per favore.
eel KON-toh, pehr fah-VOH-rehneutral
Italian TTS · 0:01
Use this phrase when you're ready to pay after a meal at a restaurant, or even after a coffee at a bar. It's the standard way to signal you're finished and want to settle up.
Alternatives
- Possiamo avere il conto?Slightly more formal and a direct translation of 'Can we have the bill?'
- Vorrei il conto.A bit more direct, meaning 'I would like the bill.'
Ways to get it wrong
Confusing 'conto' with 'account'
'Conto' means bill or check here, not a bank account or a personal account.
Omitting 'per favore'
While sometimes understood, adding 'per favore' (please) makes it much more polite and standard.
A small cultural note
In Italy, it's common for the waiter to bring the bill to your table without you asking when they see you've finished eating. You might not always need to explicitly ask.
Frequently asked
how to ask for bill in italian restaurant
The most common way is 'Il conto, per favore.' This means 'The bill, please.' It's polite and widely understood.
is 'conto' masculine or feminine
'Conto' is a masculine noun. This is why you use 'il conto' (the bill) instead of 'la conto'.
how to say can we have the bill in italian
You can say 'Possiamo avere il conto?' which directly translates to 'Can we have the bill?' It's a good alternative to the simpler 'Il conto, per favore.'
