pedir a conta in 30 Seconds
- Pedir a conta means to ask for the bill in a restaurant or café. It is a vital survival phrase for travelers.
- In Brazil, the phrase is also a very common idiom meaning to quit your job or resign from a position.
- The verb 'pedir' is irregular (eu peço). It is always used with the feminine article 'a' before 'conta'.
- Cultural etiquette dictates that you must ask for the bill; it is rarely brought to your table automatically.
The Portuguese expression pedir a conta is one of the most essential phrases for any traveler or student of the language. Literally translated as 'to ask for the account,' it is the standard way to request the bill or check at a restaurant, café, or bar. In the Lusophone world, the dining culture is often more relaxed than in the United States or Northern Europe; waiters generally will not bring the bill until you explicitly ask for it, as it is considered rude to rush guests out the door. Therefore, knowing how to use this phrase effectively is the key to ending your meal smoothly.
- The Literal Meaning
- 'Pedir' is the verb 'to ask for' or 'to request'. 'A conta' refers specifically to the financial tally of items consumed. Unlike the English word 'count,' 'conta' in this context always refers to the physical or digital document showing what you owe.
Garçom, por favor, pode pedir a conta para a nossa mesa?
Beyond the restaurant setting, particularly in Brazil, this phrase takes on a significantly different idiomatic meaning. To pedir a conta in a professional environment means to resign or quit your job. It is a colloquial way of saying 'I am asking for my final settlement' or 'I am leaving the company.' This dual meaning makes the phrase particularly interesting for intermediate learners who must distinguish between a culinary request and a career move based purely on the environment in which it is spoken.
- Cultural Nuance
- In many Portuguese-speaking cultures, the 'conta' includes a service charge (usually 10% in Brazil, though it varies in Portugal). When you ask for the bill, you are initiating the final transaction of the social event. It is common to make a small writing gesture in the air to the waiter if the restaurant is loud, accompanying the verbal request.
Ele estava tão infeliz no escritório que decidiu pedir a conta na segunda-feira.
Understanding the verb 'pedir' is crucial. It is an irregular verb in the present tense (eu peço), which often trips up beginners. When you want to be polite, you use the conditional 'poderia' or the present 'pode'. Using the phrase correctly demonstrates not just linguistic ability but also an understanding of local social etiquette, where the 'conta' is the bridge between the pleasure of the meal and the return to the outside world. Whether you are finishing a 'feijoada' in Rio or a 'bacalhau' in Lisbon, this phrase is your ticket to the next part of your day.
- The Professional Context
- When used to mean 'resigning,' it implies a voluntary departure. It is often used in conversations with friends or family rather than in the formal resignation letter itself, which would use 'pedir demissão'.
Using pedir a conta requires a basic grasp of the verb pedir. Since it is a transitive verb phrase, it often takes indirect objects or is preceded by modal verbs like querer (to want) or poder (can/may). For English speakers, the most important thing to remember is the inclusion of the definite article 'a'. You aren't just asking for 'bill'; you are asking for 'the bill' specific to your table.
- The Polite Request
- In a formal or semi-formal restaurant, you would say: 'Poderia me trazer a conta, por favor?' (Could you bring me the bill, please?). The use of 'me' indicates for whom the bill is intended.
Vamos pedir a conta agora para não nos atrasarmos para o cinema.
In Brazil, the most common way to phrase this is simply 'A conta, por favor' or 'Pode trazer a conta?'. Notice that the verb trazer (to bring) is often swapped with pedir depending on whether you are describing the action you are about to take or speaking directly to the waiter. If you are talking to your dining companions, you use pedir: 'Vou pedir a conta'. If you are speaking to the waiter, you usually ask them to trazer (bring) it, though 'Queria pedir a conta' is also perfectly acceptable.
- Grammatical Variations
- The verb changes based on the subject: 'Eu peço a conta' (I ask for the bill), 'Nós pedimos a conta' (We ask for the bill), 'Eles pediram a conta' (They asked for the bill). Ensure you use the correct tense to indicate if the action is happening now, happened in the past, or will happen.
Se o serviço continuar lento, eu vou pedir a conta e sair sem a sobremesa.
When using the phrase to mean 'to quit,' the structure remains the same but the context changes. 'Ele pediu a conta na empresa' (He quit the company). Here, 'na empresa' (at the company) provides the necessary context to avoid confusion with a restaurant. You can also use it with 'demissão': 'Ele pediu a conta e a demissão foi aceita'. However, in casual conversation, 'pedir a conta' stands alone as a strong indicator of leaving a job.
- The Conditional Mood
- Using 'Eu pediria a conta se tivesse dinheiro' (I would ask for the bill if I had money) shows how the phrase adapts to hypothetical situations. This is common when discussing experiences or giving advice to others about dining or employment.
O cliente já pediu a conta, então prepare a mesa para os próximos convidados.
The most frequent location to hear pedir a conta is, unsurprisingly, in any food service establishment. From the bustling 'botecos' of Rio de Janeiro to the elegant 'restaurantes' of Lisbon, this phrase is the universal signal for payment. In a 'padaria' (bakery) in Brazil, you might hear it at the counter, although often you pay at the register. In a sit-down 'churrascaria', it is almost always said to the waiter who has been serving your meat.
- Regional Variations
- In Portugal, while 'pedir a conta' is common, you will also hear 'Queria pagar, se faz favor' (I'd like to pay, please). In Brazil, 'pedir a conta' is the dominant phrase, and it is often shortened in very casual settings to just 'A conta!'.
No final do jantar romântico, ele discretamente sinalizou para o garçom para pedir a conta.
In the corporate world of Brazil, you will hear this phrase in office corridors and breakrooms. If a colleague says, 'O João pediu a conta ontem,' they aren't talking about lunch. They are sharing gossip about João's resignation. This usage is very common in soap operas (telenovelas) and news reports about labor trends. It carries a sense of finality and personal agency—it was the employee's choice to leave.
- The 'Conta' Gesture
- It is culturally fascinating to observe that 'pedir a conta' is often accompanied by a hand gesture—miming writing on a palm. Even without saying the words, this gesture is understood as the physical manifestation of the phrase.
Muitos brasileiros decidem pedir a conta para abrir o seu próprio negócio.
You will also encounter this phrase in films and literature. It serves as a plot device to end a scene in a restaurant or to show a character's frustration with their job. In Brazilian music, particularly Samba and Pagode, 'pedir a conta' can sometimes be used metaphorically in relationships—meaning to end a romance or 'settle the score' with a partner who hasn't been faithful or kind. This metaphorical layer adds a poetic depth to an otherwise mundane transactional phrase.
One of the most frequent mistakes English speakers make is trying to use the word 'cheque' when they want the bill. In Portuguese, a cheque is a physical bank check used for payment, not the bill itself. If you ask for 'o cheque' in a restaurant, the waiter will likely be confused or think you want to pay using a paper check (which is increasingly rare). Always remember to use conta.
- The Preposition Trap
- Learners often say 'pedir para a conta'. This is incorrect. The verb 'pedir' takes the object directly: 'pedir a conta'. You only use 'para' if you are asking for the bill to be brought to someone: 'pedir a conta para o garçom'.
Errado: Eu vou pedir o cheque.
Correto: Eu vou pedir a conta.
Another common error is confusing pedir with perguntar. Both can translate to 'to ask' in English, but pedir is used for requests (asking for something), while perguntar is used for questions (asking for information). Since the bill is a physical thing you want, you must use pedir. Saying 'vou perguntar a conta' would sound like you are asking the bill a question!
- Pronunciation Pitfalls
- The word 'conta' has an open 'o' sound in some regions and a more nasal 'on' sound. English speakers sometimes pronounce it like 'counter,' but the 't' is soft and the 'a' at the end is a short, neutral vowel. Ensure you don't stress the 'a'—it's CON-ta, not con-TA.
Não confunda: pedir a conta (request bill) com 'pagar a conta' (to pay the bill).
Finally, when using the phrase as 'to quit,' be careful not to use it in very formal HR settings. If you are sitting with your boss in a formal performance review, it is better to say 'Gostaria de solicitar meu desligamento' or 'Gostaria de pedir demissão'. 'Pedir a conta' is more appropriate for telling your coworkers why you're leaving or talking to the boss in a more casual, small-business environment. Using slang in a formal legal document is a mistake many learners make when they find a fun idiom they like.
While pedir a conta is the most common way to request your bill, there are several alternatives depending on how formal or casual you want to be. Understanding these synonyms will help you navigate different social strata in Portuguese-speaking countries. For instance, in a very casual bar, you might not even use a full sentence.
- Fechar a Conta
- Literally 'to close the account.' This is very common in Brazil when you have a running tab. 'Pode fechar a conta, por favor?' implies you are finished ordering and are ready for the final total.
Garçom, vamos fechar a conta? Já estamos satisfeitos.
Another alternative is trazer a nota. In some places, 'nota' (short for nota fiscal) refers to the receipt. While 'conta' is the request for the amount, 'nota' is the request for the official tax document. However, in casual speech, they are often used interchangeably. In Portugal, you might hear o total or simply quanto é? (how much is it?).
- Pedir Demissão
- This is the direct synonym for the idiomatic meaning of 'pedir a conta' (to quit). It is more formal and should be used in official communications. While 'pedir a conta' is something you say to a friend, 'pedir demissão' is what you do at the HR office.
Em vez de pedir a conta, ele decidiu pedir uma última rodada de cerveja.
If you are in a group and want to split the bill, you would use the verb rachar (to split/crack) or dividir. 'Vamos rachar a conta?' is very common among friends. In Portugal, you might say 'Vamos dividir a despesa?'. Knowing these variations allows you to tailor your speech to the specific social dynamic of your group, making you sound more like a native speaker and less like a textbook.
- Solicitar o fechamento
- Highly formal. You might see this in a high-end hotel or a corporate event. It is the sophisticated cousin of 'pedir a conta'.
Fun Fact
In the Middle Ages, 'contas' were often kept using notches on a stick or stones before paper receipts became common.
Pronunciation Guide
- Pronouncing 'pedir' as 'pee-deer'. It should be 'peh-deer'.
- Making the 'a' too long like 'ahhh'.
- Failing to nasalize the 'on' in 'conta'.
- Stressing the final 'a' in 'conta'.
- Pronouncing 'pedir' with a hard English 'r' at the end.
Examples by Level
Garçom, a conta, por favor.
Waiter, the bill, please.
A1: Basic phrase with 'por favor'.
Eu quero pedir a conta.
I want to ask for the bill.
A1: Using 'querer' + infinitive.
Pode trazer a conta?
Can you bring the bill?
A1: 'Pode' used as a polite request.
Nós vamos pedir a conta.
We are going to ask for the bill.
A1: Future with 'ir' + infinitive.
A conta está correta?
Is the bill correct?
A1: Simple question about the bill.
Onde eu peço a conta?
Where do I ask for the bill?
A1: Question word 'onde' + present 'peço'.
Peço a conta agora.
I am asking for the bill now.
A1: First person singular present.
Você pode pedir a conta?
Can you ask for the bill?
A1: Asking someone else to do the action.
Ontem, eu pedi a conta no restaurante.
Yesterday, I asked for the bill at the restaurant.
A2: Pretérito Perfeito 'pedi'.
Nós já pedimos a conta, vamos embora?
We already asked for the bill, shall we go?
A2: Use of 'já' (already).
Ela sempre pede a conta rápido.
She always asks for the bill quickly.
A2: Third person singular 'pede'.
Eles pediram a conta e pagaram com cartão.
They asked for the bill and paid with a card.
A2: Compound sentence in the past.
Você pediu a conta para o garçom?
Did you ask the waiter for the bill?
A2: Question in the past tense.
Eu não pedi a conta ainda.
I haven't asked for the bill yet.
A2: Negative sentence with 'ainda'.
O João pediu a conta do seu trabalho.
João quit his job.
A2: Introduction to the idiomatic meaning.
Por que você vai pedir a conta?
Why are you going to ask for the bill?
A2: 'Por que' in a future context.
Se o café demorar, vou pedir a conta.
If the coffee takes too long, I'll ask for the bill.
B1: First conditional structure.
Eu gostaria de pedir a conta, se for possível.
I would like to ask for the bill, if possible.
B1: Conditional 'gostaria'.
Ele pediu a conta porque não gostava do chefe.
He quit because he didn't like the boss.
B1: Explaining reasons with 'porque'.
Quando terminarmos, pediremos a conta.
When we finish, we will ask for the bill.
B1: Future subjunctive and future indicative.
Você já tinha pedido a conta quando eu cheguei?
Had you already asked for the bill when I arrived?
B1: Pretérito Mais-que-perfeito composto.
É melhor pedir a conta antes que fique tarde.
It's better to ask for the bill before it gets late.
B1: Subjunctive after 'antes que'.
Ele decidiu pedir a conta e viajar pelo mundo.
He decided to quit his job and travel the world.
B1: Infinitive after 'decidir'.
Ninguém pediu a conta ainda, pois a conversa está boa.
No one asked for the bill yet, as the conversation is good.
B1: Use of 'pois' (as/since).
Estou farto deste emprego, vou pedir a conta amanhã.
I'm fed up with this job, I'm quitting tomorrow.
B2: Colloquial expression 'estar farto'.
Duvido que eles peçam a conta antes da meia-noite.
I doubt they will ask for the bill before midnight.
B2: Present subjunctive after 'duvidar'.
Se eu fosse você, pediria a conta naquele restaurante.
If I were you, I would ask for the bill in that restaurant.
B2: Second conditional (Imperfect Subj. + Conditional).
Apesar de ter pedido a conta, ele ainda trabalha lá.
Despite having quit, he still works there.
B2: Concessive clause with 'apesar de'.
Mal pedimos a conta, o garçom a trouxe.
As soon as we asked for the bill, the waiter brought it.
B2: Use of 'mal' as a conjunction (as soon as).
Ele pediu a conta sem pensar nas consequências.
He quit his job without thinking about the consequences.
B2: Preposition 'sem' + infinitive.
Pedir a conta foi a melhor decisão que tomei este ano.
Quitting was the best decision I made this year.
B2: Gerundial use of the infinitive as a subject.
Caso você peça a conta, avise-me imediatamente.
In case you ask for the bill, let me know immediately.
B2: Future Subjunctive with 'caso'.
O funcionário, sentindo-se desvalorizado, resolveu pedir a conta.
The employee, feeling undervalued, decided to quit.
C1: Participial clause and formal narrative style.
Não convém pedir a conta enquanto o anfitrião não o fizer.
It is not appropriate to ask for the bill until the host does so.
C1: Impersonal expression 'não convém' + subjunctive.
Ao pedir a conta, percebeu que haviam cobrado itens extras.
Upon asking for the bill, he realized they had charged extra items.
C1: Temporal 'Ao' + infinitive.
Jamais pediria a conta se não tivesse outra oferta de emprego.
I would never quit if I didn't have another job offer.
C1: Negative adverb 'jamais' with conditional.
Embora tenha pedido a conta, ele saiu em bons termos.
Although he quit, he left on good terms.
C1: Concessive 'embora' with perfect subjunctive.
Pedir a conta prematuramente pode ser visto como falta de educação.
Asking for the bill prematurely can be seen as a lack of manners.
C1: Passive voice and adverb usage.
O gesto de pedir a conta encerrou o longo debate político.
The gesture of asking for the bill ended the long political debate.
C1: Abstract subject and metaphorical ending.
Quem quer que peça a conta deve estar preparado para pagar.
Whoever asks for the bill must be prepared to pay.
C1: Indefinite relative 'Quem quer que' + subjunctive.
A sutil arte de pedir a conta exige um timing perfeito.
The subtle art of asking for the bill requires perfect timing.
C2: Sophisticated noun phrase and vocabulary.
Viu-se compelido a pedir a conta ante a insolvência da empresa.
He found himself compelled to quit in the face of the company's insolvency.
C2: Passive pronominal and formal preposition 'ante'.
Pedir a conta, em tal cenário, equivaleria a um suicídio profissional.
Quitting, in such a scenario, would amount to professional suicide.
C2: Conditional of equivalence and high-level metaphor.
Tão logo pediram a conta, a atmosfera de tensão se dissipou.
As soon as they asked for the bill, the atmosphere of tension dissipated.
C2: Literary conjunction 'Tão logo'.
O ato de pedir a conta não é meramente financeiro, mas social.
The act of asking for the bill is not merely financial, but social.
C2: Correlative conjunctions 'não meramente... mas'.
Haja o que houver, não peça a conta sem antes me consultar.
Whatever happens, do not quit without consulting me first.
C2: Idiomatic 'Haja o que houver' (come what may).
A decisão de pedir a conta reverberou por todo o departamento.
The decision to quit resonated throughout the entire department.
C2: High-level verb 'reverberar'.
Pedir a conta é o epílogo inevitável de qualquer banquete.
Asking for the bill is the inevitable epilogue of any banquet.
C2: Metaphorical and literary vocabulary.
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
— The standard, most common way to ask for the bill.
Garçom, a conta, por favor.
— A slightly more verbalized and polite request.
Pode trazer a conta quando tiver um momento?
— Using 'queria' makes the request softer and more polite.
Queria pedir a conta, estamos com pressa.
— Can mean he requested the bill or he quit his job.
Você soube? O Marcos pediu a conta.
— Asking if the bill has already been requested.
Você já pediu a conta ou ainda não?
— Specifically asking for the bill for a service rendered.
Vou pedir a conta do serviço de quarto.
— Telling someone to wait before paying.
Espere, não peça a conta ainda, quero um café.
Idioms & Expressions
— To resign from a job voluntarily (Brazil).
Ele não aguentava mais e pediu a conta.
Informal— To settle a score or resolve a conflict with someone.
Vou acertar as contas com ele amanhã.
Neutral— To do the math or reflect on a situation.
Fiz as contas e vi que não vale a pena.
Neutral— To be able to handle a task or challenge.
Ela deu conta do recado perfeitamente.
Informal— To live independently or be self-employed.
Ele decidiu viver por conta própria.
Neutral— To lose track of how many times something happened.
Já perdi a conta de quantas vezes vim aqui.
Neutral— To be the responsibility or expense of someone.
As despesas correm por conta da empresa.
Formal— To have a negative bank balance.
Infelizmente, estou com a conta no vermelho.
InformalWord Family
Nouns
Verbs
Adjectives
Related
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Think of 'Pedir' as 'Petitioning' and 'Conta' as 'Counting'. You are petitioning for the final count.
Word Origin
From Latin 'petere' (to seek, aim at, beg) and 'computare' (to calculate, sum up).
Original meaning: To request the calculation of expenses.
Romance (Latin roots).Summary
The phrase 'pedir a conta' is your universal tool for ending a meal in the Portuguese-speaking world. For example, 'Garçom, a conta, por favor' is the standard polite way to leave a restaurant.
- Pedir a conta means to ask for the bill in a restaurant or café. It is a vital survival phrase for travelers.
- In Brazil, the phrase is also a very common idiom meaning to quit your job or resign from a position.
- The verb 'pedir' is irregular (eu peço). It is always used with the feminine article 'a' before 'conta'.
- Cultural etiquette dictates that you must ask for the bill; it is rarely brought to your table automatically.
