The bill, please.
KON-to — two syllables, stress on first. Short clean Italian vowels. This is the most essential restaurant phrase in Italian.
Use at the end of the meal when you are ready to pay. In Italy, waiters do not bring the bill automatically — you must ask. This is standard practice and not considered rude.
'Conto' means 'bill' or 'account'. 'Per favore' is the standard polite addition. Unlike in some countries, asking for the bill in Italy is entirely normal and necessary — waiters intentionally leave you in peace until you request it.
Ci porta il conto?
Can you bring us the bill?
Plural 'us' form — use when dining with others.
Possiamo avere il conto?
Can we have the bill?
More formal, polite request using 'possiamo' (can we).
Quando ha un momento, il conto.
When you have a moment, the bill.
Very polite, acknowledges the waiter may be busy.
In Italy, lingering at the table after a meal is considered a pleasure, not an inconvenience. Waiters are trained NOT to rush you. As a result, you must actively signal that you want the bill — this is part of Italian 'dolce far niente' (the sweetness of doing nothing) dining culture.