Portuguese Phrase
Me traz a conta?
Meaning
A polite way to ask the server to bring you the restaurant bill. It literally translates to ‘Bring me the bill?’ and is understood as a request rather than a literal question.
When to use
Use this phrase at the end of a meal in a restaurant, café, or bar when you want the waiter to give you the check. It works in informal and semi‑formal settings, especially when you’re already seated and have the server’s attention.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Metrazaconta?
Pronome átono (Me)
‘Me’ is an unstressed indirect object pronoun meaning ‘to me’ or ‘for me’, placed before the verb in Portuguese.
Verbo trazer (traz)
‘traz’ is the third‑person singular present indicative of ‘trazer’ (to bring). It is used here as a polite request directed at the waiter.
Artigo definido (a)
‘a’ is the feminine singular definite article that agrees with the noun ‘conta’.
Substantivo (conta)
‘conta’ means ‘the bill/check’ in a restaurant context.
🗨In Conversation
Me traz a conta?
Could you bring me the bill?
Claro, já já!
Sure, right away!
✕Common Mistakes
Me traga a conta?
‘Traga’ is the subjunctive form and sounds like a command; use ‘traz’ for a polite request.
Me traz a contas?
‘Contas’ is plural; the bill is singular, so use ‘conta’.
Me traz conta?
Missing the article ‘a’; Portuguese nouns usually need an article unless omitted for stylistic reasons.
↔Alternatives
Pode trazer a conta, por favor?
Could you bring the bill, please?
A conta, por favor.
The bill, please.
Traga a conta, por gentileza.
Bring the bill, kindly.
Me traz a conta, por favor?
Can you bring me the bill, please?
Cultural Tip
In Brazil it’s common to catch the waiter’s eye and say ‘A conta, por favor’ or simply raise your hand slightly. While ‘Me traz a conta?’ is perfectly understood, adding ‘por favor’ softens the request and sounds more courteous. In more formal restaurants you might hear ‘O senhor poderia trazer a conta?’ (Could you bring the bill, sir?).