في 15 ثانية
- Used for settling financial debts or restaurant checks.
- Can metaphorically mean facing the consequences of actions.
- Commonly used in social settings when splitting costs.
المعنى
This phrase refers to the act of settling a debt or paying for a meal or service. In a broader sense, it can also mean 'paying the price' for a mistake or decision.
أمثلة رئيسية
3 من 6At a restaurant with a friend
Deixa que eu pago a conta hoje.
Let me pay the bill today.
Discussing monthly expenses
A conta de luz veio muito cara este mês.
The electricity bill came out very expensive this month.
In a formal business meeting
Precisamos pagar a conta do fornecedor até amanhã.
We need to pay the supplier's invoice by tomorrow.
خلفية ثقافية
In Lusophone cultures, the act of paying is deeply tied to hospitality and social status. Historically, the 'padrinho' or 'chefe' would pay for everyone to show power. Today, it is a common point of friendly contention at the end of a dinner out.
The 'Boleto' Culture
In Brazil, bills are often called 'boletos'. Saying 'pagar o boleto' is a very common way to talk about adult responsibilities.
Don't 'Pay' Attention
Never say 'pagar atenção'. Use 'prestar atenção'. Using 'pagar' here is a classic 'gringo' mistake!
في 15 ثانية
- Used for settling financial debts or restaurant checks.
- Can metaphorically mean facing the consequences of actions.
- Commonly used in social settings when splitting costs.
What It Means
Pagar a conta is the standard way to say 'pay the bill'. When you add pouco (little) before it, you are usually describing a situation where the cost was surprisingly low. It can also imply that someone is contributing very little to a shared expense. It is about the physical act of handing over money. Sometimes, it carries a metaphorical weight about consequences.
How To Use It
You use this when the waiter brings the check. You also use it when discussing household expenses or business debts. Simply conjugate the verb pagar to match who is paying. For example: Eu pago a conta (I pay the bill). If the bill is small, you say Paguei pouco na conta. It is straightforward and very common in daily life.
When To Use It
Use it at restaurants, bars, or cafes with friends. It is perfect for discussing monthly utilities like electricity or water. Use it when splitting a tab to clarify who owes what. It works well in professional settings when discussing company invoices. You can even use it when someone finally faces the music for their actions.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use it for 'paying attention'—that is prestar atenção. Avoid using it for 'paying a compliment'—that is fazer um elogio. It is strictly for financial transactions or metaphorical consequences. If you are at a very fancy gala, you might use more formal terms like liquidar o débito. Otherwise, it is your go-to phrase.
Cultural Background
In Brazil and Portugal, 'paying the bill' is a social ritual. Friends often argue over who gets to pay as a sign of generosity. The person who invites usually expects to pay the whole thing. However, 'rachar a conta' (splitting the bill) is becoming the modern norm. Brazilians often use the term pendura for an unpaid tab at a local bar.
Common Variations
Pagar o pato: To pay for something you didn't do.Rachar a conta: To split the bill equally.Pagar caro: To pay a high price (literally or figuratively).Pagar à vista: To pay in full, upfront, usually with cash.
ملاحظات الاستخدام
The phrase is highly versatile and works in almost any context involving money. Just remember to conjugate the verb 'pagar' correctly!
The 'Boleto' Culture
In Brazil, bills are often called 'boletos'. Saying 'pagar o boleto' is a very common way to talk about adult responsibilities.
Don't 'Pay' Attention
Never say 'pagar atenção'. Use 'prestar atenção'. Using 'pagar' here is a classic 'gringo' mistake!
The Fight for the Check
If a Brazilian friend insists on paying, it's polite to resist once, but if they insist again, let them! It's a point of pride.
أمثلة
6Deixa que eu pago a conta hoje.
Let me pay the bill today.
A very common gesture of friendship and generosity.
A conta de luz veio muito cara este mês.
The electricity bill came out very expensive this month.
Refers to a utility bill rather than a restaurant check.
Precisamos pagar a conta do fornecedor até amanhã.
We need to pay the supplier's invoice by tomorrow.
Professional context regarding business accounts.
Gente, vamos rachar a conta?
Guys, shall we split the bill?
Using 'rachar' is the standard slang for splitting.
Se você continuar assim, vai acabar pagando a conta sozinho.
If you keep going like this, you'll end up paying the price alone.
Metaphorical use meaning 'facing the consequences'.
Infelizmente, ele teve que pagar a conta pelos erros do passado.
Unfortunately, he had to pay the price for past mistakes.
Deeply metaphorical and serious tone.
اختبر نفسك
Choose the correct verb form for 'I pay'.
Eu ___ a conta do jantar.
'Pago' is the first-person singular present tense of 'pagar'.
Complete the phrase for splitting the bill.
Vamos ___ a conta entre nós cinco?
'Rachar' is the specific colloquial term for splitting a bill in Portuguese.
🎉 النتيجة: /2
وسائل تعلم بصرية
Formality of 'Pagar a conta'
Used with friends (Rachar a conta)
Bora rachar?
Standard daily usage
Vou pagar a conta.
Business or legal contexts
Efetuar o pagamento da fatura.
Where to use 'Pagar a conta'
Restaurant
Garçom, a conta por favor!
Bank/Home
Pagar o boleto da internet.
Life Lessons
Pagar pelos próprios erros.
Socializing
Quem vai pagar a rodada?
بنك التمارين
2 تمارينEu ___ a conta do jantar.
'Pago' is the first-person singular present tense of 'pagar'.
Vamos ___ a conta entre nós cinco?
'Rachar' is the specific colloquial term for splitting a bill in Portuguese.
🎉 النتيجة: /2
الأسئلة الشائعة
10 أسئلةIt literally means 'to pay the bill'. You use it for restaurants, utilities, or debts like pagar a conta de luz.
Yes, but you usually add the verb rachar. For example, Vamos rachar a conta? means 'Shall we split the bill?'
It is neutral. You can use it with your boss or your best friend without any issues.
You say A conta, por favor. It is polite and direct.
It is an idiom meaning to take the blame for something you didn't do. Literally, it means 'to pay for the duck'.
Yes, metaphorically. Ele pagou a conta pelos seus atos means he faced the consequences for his actions.
The phrase is the same in both. However, in Portugal, you might hear pagar a fatura more often in formal settings.
A boleto is a specific type of bank payment slip common in Brazil. People often say pagar os boletos to mean paying general bills.
No, that is incorrect. You should use fazer um elogio for giving a compliment.
You can say É por minha conta (It's on me) or Eu pago para todos.
عبارات ذات صلة
Pagar o pato (To take the blame)
Rachar a conta (To split the bill)
Pagar à vista (To pay in cash/full)
Acertar as contas (To settle scores)
Pagar caro (To pay a high price)
