Portuguese Phrase
A conta está certa?
Meaning
This question asks whether the amount shown on a bill (restaurant, hotel, or any invoice) is correct. It’s a polite way to double‑check that you’ve been charged the right price.
When to use
Use it right after receiving a receipt or when you suspect a mistake in the total. It works in restaurants, cafés, hotels, taxis, or any situation where you need to verify a written charge.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Acontaestácerta?
Definite article (A)
The feminine singular article 'a' matches the noun 'conta' in gender and number.
Estar (está)
Estar is used for temporary states or conditions; here it asks about the current correctness of the bill.
Adjective agreement (certa)
The adjective 'certa' agrees in gender (feminine) and number (singular) with the noun 'conta'.
🗨In Conversation
A conta está certa?
Is the bill correct?
Sim, está tudo certo. Aqui está o detalhamento.
Yes, everything is correct. Here’s the breakdown.
✕Common Mistakes
A conta é certa?
Use ‘está’ (estar) for temporary states; ‘é’ (ser) would imply a permanent characteristic, which is incorrect here.
Conta está certa?
The definite article is required; dropping it sounds unnatural.
A conta está certo?
Because ‘conta’ is feminine, the adjective must be in its feminine form ‘certa’.
↔Alternatives
A conta está correta?
Is the bill correct?
O valor está correto?
Is the amount correct?
A conta está certa mesmo?
Is the bill really correct?
Cultural Tip
In Brazil it’s common to ask about the bill with a friendly tone; you can also say “A conta está ok?” for a more informal vibe. Avoid using the verb ‘ser’ (e.g., *A conta é certa*) because correctness of a bill is a temporary condition, not an inherent characteristic. When you’re in a more formal setting (e.g., a business meeting), you might prefer “A conta está correta?”.