Portuguese Phrase
Preciso de uma cópia da conta.
Meaning
The speaker is stating that they need a duplicate of a bill, receipt, or statement. It can refer to a restaurant check, hotel invoice, or any official account document.
When to use
Use this phrase when you are at a restaurant, hotel, clinic, or any service where you receive a bill and you need a printed copy for expense reports, tax purposes, or personal records.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Precisodeumacópiadaconta.
Preciso + de
The verb *precisar* (to need) is followed by the preposition *de* when the object is a noun or infinitive.
Indefinite article *uma*
*uma* is the feminine singular indefinite article, matching the gender of *cópia*.
Contraction *da*
*da* = *de* + *a*; it links the preposition *de* with the feminine article *a* before *conta*.
Noun gender
*cópia* and *conta* are both feminine nouns, so the articles and adjectives must agree in gender.
🗨In Conversation
Preciso de uma cópia da conta, por favor.
I need a copy of the bill, please.
Claro, aqui está.
Sure, here it is.
✕Common Mistakes
Preciso a uma cópia da conta.
The verb *precisar* requires the preposition *de* before a noun, not *a*.
Preciso de uma cópia do conta.
The article must agree with the noun gender; *conta* is feminine, so use *da*.
Preciso uma cópia da conta.
When *cópia* is the object, the preposition *de* must still appear: *cópia da conta* is correct only after *de* (e.g., *cópia da conta*). Forgetting *de* changes the meaning.
↔Alternatives
Pode me dar uma cópia da conta?
Can you give me a copy of the bill?
Gostaria de uma cópia da conta.
I would like a copy of the bill.
Preciso da conta em cópia.
I need the bill in copy.
Cultural Tip
In Brazil it’s common to request a *cópia da conta* for business expense reports or tax documentation. Politeness matters: adding *por favor* or using a softer form like *poderia* makes the request sound more courteous. In some regions, especially in formal hotels, you might hear *cópia da fatura* instead of *conta*.