Italian Phrase
Quanto costano di solito le bollette?
Meaning
A polite way to ask someone about the typical amount they pay for their utility bills (electricity, gas, water, phone, etc.). It focuses on the usual cost rather than a single specific bill.
When to use
Use this question when you’re discussing household budgeting, comparing living expenses with a friend, or trying to get a sense of average utility costs in a new city or apartment.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Quantocostanodisolitolebollette?
Quanto
Interrogative adverb meaning 'how much' used to ask about quantity or price.
costano
Third‑person plural present of the verb *costare* (to cost). The subject is implicit – ‘they’ (the bills).
di solito
Adverbial phrase meaning ‘usually’; placed before the noun phrase it modifies.
le bollette
Definite article *le* + plural noun *bolletta* (bill, utility statement).
Verb‑subject agreement
Even though the subject is omitted, the verb must agree with the plural noun *bollette*.
🗨In Conversation
Quanto costano di solito le bollette?
How much do the bills usually cost?
Di solito pago tra 80 e 120 euro al mese, a seconda del consumo di energia.
I usually pay between 80 and 120 euros a month, depending on my energy consumption.
✕Common Mistakes
Quanto costo di solito le bollette?
Use *costano* (plural) because *bollette* is plural; *costo* is singular.
Quanto costano di solito le bolletta?
The noun *bolletta* is feminine; the plural is *le bollette*.
Quanto costano le bollette?
Omitting *di solito* changes the meaning to a one‑time cost rather than the usual amount.
↔Alternatives
Quanto paghi di solito per le bollette?
How much do you usually pay for the bills?
Qual è il costo medio delle bollette?
What is the average cost of the bills?
Che spesa fai di solito per le bollette?
What expense do you usually have for the bills?
Cultural Tip
In Italy, *bollette* can refer to electricity, gas, water, telephone, and even waste collection. Prices vary widely between regions – northern cities like Milan tend to have higher electricity rates than southern towns. When asking this question, it’s polite to specify which type of bill you mean, or to add *in media* (on average) to keep the conversation neutral.