Do you have change?
'Resto' — RES-to. Two syllables.
Ask before handing over a large banknote, especially early in the morning when shops may not have change yet. This is considerate and prevents an awkward refusal at the till.
'Ha il resto?' uses the formal 'lei' form of 'avere'. 'Resto' means change (money returned). It also means rest/remainder in other contexts. In shops, the meaning is always change. 'Non ho il resto' = I don't have change. 'Ho esattamente' = I have exact change.
Ho un biglietto da cento — ha il resto?
I have a hundred-euro note — do you have change?
Specifies the denomination.
Ho il resto esatto.
I have the exact change.
Helpful to say — cashier will appreciate it.
Può cambiare un biglietto da cinquanta?
Can you change a fifty-euro note?
Asks specifically to break the note.
Small Italian shops and market stalls often struggle with change, especially for €50 and €100 notes. It is polite to use smaller denominations when possible. Some shops post signs: 'Non si accettano banconote da 100/200/500 euro'.