Italian Phrase
Il conto, per favore.
Meaning
A polite request for the bill at a restaurant, café, or any place where you have just finished a meal. It directly translates to “The check, please.”
When to use
Use this phrase after you have finished eating and want the server to bring you the bill. It works in both casual and slightly formal dining settings.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Ilconto,perfavore.
Definite article (Il)
Il is the masculine singular definite article used before consonant-starting nouns like 'conto'.
Noun (conto)
Conto means 'bill' or 'check' in a restaurant context; it is a masculine singular noun.
Polite phrase (per favore)
Per favore literally means 'for favor' and is the standard way to say 'please' in Italian.
🗨In Conversation
Il conto, per favore.
The check, please.
Certo, ecco a lei.
Sure, here it is.
✕Common Mistakes
Il conto, per piacere.
‘Per piacere’ is not used to mean ‘please’; the correct phrase is ‘per favore’.
Il per favore conto.
Word order matters; the article must stay with the noun, and ‘per favore’ follows the request.
Il conto per favore?
Adding a question mark can make it sound like a question; the phrase is a polite request, not a question.
↔Alternatives
Posso avere il conto, per favore?
May I have the check, please?
Mi porta il conto, per favore?
Could you bring me the check, please?
Il conto, grazie.
The check, thank you.
Cultural Tip
In Italy it’s common to ask for the bill only when you’re ready to leave; servers may bring it automatically in some places. Tipping isn’t obligatory, but leaving a small amount of change or rounding up the total is appreciated, especially in family‑run trattorias.