Italian Phrase
Vogliamo pagare separati.
Meaning
The sentence means ‘We want to pay separately.’ It is the standard way to tell a waiter, driver, or any service provider that each person in the group will cover their own share of the bill.
When to use
Use this phrase in restaurants, cafés, taxis, or any situation where a group is settling a shared expense and prefers individual payments. It can also be used when splitting costs for activities, tours, or accommodation.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Vogliamopagareseparati
Volere (Vogliamo)
‘Vogliamo’ is the first‑person plural present of the verb ‘volere’ (to want). It is used to express a desire that includes the speaker and at least one other person.
Infinitive (pagare)
‘Pagare’ is the infinitive form of the verb ‘pagare’ (to pay). After ‘volere’, the verb that describes the wanted action stays in the infinitive.
Adjective agreement (separati)
‘Separati’ is an adjective meaning ‘separate/individual’. It must agree in gender and number with the implied subject ‘noi’, therefore it is masculine plural.
Adverbial use
In this context ‘separati’ works like an adverb meaning ‘separately’. The more formal adverb is ‘separatamente’, but ‘separati’ is idiomatic in everyday speech.
🗨In Conversation
Come preferite pagare il conto?
How would you like to pay the bill?
Vogliamo pagare separati.
We want to pay separately.
✕Common Mistakes
Vogliamo pagare separato.
The adjective must agree with the plural subject ‘noi’; use ‘separati’ (masc. pl.) or ‘separate’ (fem. pl.)
Vogliamo pagare separatamente.
While grammatically correct, ‘separatamente’ sounds more formal; in casual conversation Italians usually say ‘pagare separati’. Use the latter to sound natural.
Io voglio pagare separati.
Singular subject ‘Io’ requires singular adjective ‘separato/a’. The mismatch makes the sentence ungrammatical.
↔Alternatives
Preferiamo pagare ognuno per conto suo.
We prefer each to pay for ourselves.
Paghiamo separatamente.
We’ll pay separately.
Dividiamo il conto.
Let’s split the bill.
Cultural Tip
In Italy it’s polite to ask the server first – ‘Possiamo dividere il conto?’ – before stating the preference. Some smaller family‑run trattorias may find splitting the bill a bit cumbersome, so a friendly tone helps. ‘Separati’ is colloquial; if you want to sound more formal, use ‘separatamente’. Also remember that the adjective must match the group’s gender (e.g., ‘separate’ for an all‑female group).