Portuguese Phrase
Me explica a conta?
Meaning
A casual request asking someone to explain a bill, a calculation, or an account. It implies the speaker didn’t understand the numbers or the details and wants a clearer breakdown.
When to use
Use this phrase in informal settings—restaurants, cafés, classrooms, or with coworkers—when you need a quick clarification. In more formal contexts swap it for "Poderia explicar a conta, por favor?".
✦Grammar Breakdown
Meexplicaaconta?
Clitic pronoun "Me"
"Me" is an unstressed pronoun placed before the verb, meaning "to me" or "for me".
Verb form "explica"
"explica" is the 3rd‑person singular present indicative of "explicar"; in informal speech it works like a polite imperative.
Direct object "a conta"
"a conta" can refer to a bill, a calculation, or an account, and it receives the action of the verb.
Question mark
Adding "?" turns the statement into a request for clarification.
🗨In Conversation
A conta ficou 42,50 reais.
The bill came to 42.50 reais.
Me explica a conta?
Can you explain the bill to me?
✕Common Mistakes
Explicar-me a conta?
In Brazilian Portuguese the clitic pronoun comes before the verb, not after it.
Me explicas a conta?
"Explicas" is the 2nd‑person singular (tu) form, which is rarely used in most of Brazil; stick with "explica" or the conditional "pode explicar".
A conta me explica?
This reverses the subject and object, changing the meaning to "the bill explains itself".
↔Alternatives
Pode me explicar a conta?
Could you explain the bill to me?
Você pode explicar a conta para mim?
Can you explain the bill for me?
Pode esclarecer a conta, por favor?
Could you clarify the bill, please?
Cultural Tip
In Brazil, asking "Me explica a conta?" is perfectly natural when you’re unsure about a price or a calculation. Adding "por favor" makes it even more courteous, especially with waitstaff. Remember that "conta" can also mean a bank account, so the surrounding context determines the meaning.