a conta

§ "A conta" means "the bill"

When you're eating out in Portugal or Brazil, eventually you'll need to ask for the bill. This is where the Portuguese word a conta comes in handy. It's a feminine noun, so it always goes with the article 'a'.

DEFINITION

The bill or check (in a restaurant).

Remember, it's not used for other types of bills, like your electricity bill or phone bill. Those have different words in Portuguese. "A conta" is specifically for what you pay after eating or drinking at a restaurant, cafe, or bar.

§ How to use "a conta" in sentences

The most common way to ask for the bill is very straightforward. You can simply say:

This translates directly to "The bill, please." It's polite, clear, and understood everywhere. You can also add a verb to make it a more complete sentence, though the above is perfectly acceptable.

Here, 'Poderia trazer' means 'Could you bring'. It's a very polite way to ask.

'Gostaria de pagar' means 'I would like to pay'. This is another polite option, especially if you're trying to get the waiter's attention.

§ Prepositions with "a conta"

You'll often see "a conta" used with prepositions. Here are a few common examples:

• Pagar a conta: To pay the bill.

Posso pagar a conta? (Can I pay the bill?)

• Dividir a conta: To split the bill. This is very common when eating with friends.

Vamos dividir a conta. (Let's split the bill.)

• Pedir a conta: To ask for the bill.

É hora de pedir a conta. (It's time to ask for the bill.)

Notice how the verb 'pedir' (to ask for) is followed directly by 'a conta' without an extra preposition like 'por' (for). This is because 'pedir' already implies 'to ask for something'.

§ What to expect after asking for the bill

Once you've asked for "a conta," the waiter will usually bring it to your table. In some places, particularly in Brazil, they might bring a small machine for card payment directly to your table. In Portugal, it's more common for them to bring the bill first, and then you might go to the counter to pay, or they'll come back with a card machine.

Don't be surprised if the waiter doesn't immediately bring the bill after you ask. Service can be more relaxed than what you might be used to in English-speaking countries. A little patience goes a long way!

Now you know how to confidently ask for and talk about the bill in Portuguese. This is a crucial phrase for anyone traveling or living in a Portuguese-speaking country!

§ Understanding 'a conta'

In Portuguese, when you're at a restaurant, bar, or cafe and you want to ask for the bill, the most common and polite way to do it is by using the phrase 'a conta'. It directly translates to 'the bill' or 'the check'. This is a fundamental phrase for anyone learning Portuguese, especially if you plan to dine out.

It's a feminine noun, so you'll always see it with the feminine definite article 'a' before it. Remember this; it's important for correct grammar.

Definition

The bill or check (in a restaurant).

§ How to ask for the bill

The simplest way to ask for the bill is to say 'A conta, por favor?' This is polite and clear. You can also use a full sentence if you prefer.

§ Similar words and when to use them

While 'a conta' is your go-to for restaurant bills, Portuguese has other words that translate to 'bill' or 'account' in different contexts. It's important to know the distinction to avoid confusion.

• 'O recibo': This means 'the receipt'. After you pay 'a conta', you might ask for 'o recibo' as proof of payment.

• 'A fatura': This refers to an invoice or a more formal bill, often used for services or purchases where a detailed breakdown is provided, or for tax purposes. You wouldn't typically ask for 'a fatura' in a casual restaurant setting unless you specifically need it for business expenses.

• 'A conta bancária': This means 'the bank account'. Clearly, a completely different context!

Understanding these distinctions will help you navigate different situations in Portuguese with confidence. For your everyday dining experience, 'a conta' is the phrase to remember.