Paying & Splitting the Bill
Essential phrases for finishing your meal, asking for the bill, and paying at an Italian restaurant or café.
Key Phrases
Il conto, per favore.
neutralThe bill, please.
Scusi, possiamo pagare?
politeExcuse me, can we pay?
"Scusi" is a fixed polite form used to get the waiter's attention.
Quanto è il totale?
neutralHow much is the total?
Quant'è?
casualHow much is it?
A fast, everyday contraction that sounds very natural.
Posso pagare con la carta?
neutralCan I pay by card?
Pago in contanti.
neutralI am paying in cash.
Conti separati, per favore.
neutralSeparate bills, please.
Use this with the staff to ask them to split the check.
Facciamo a metà?
casualShould we split it?
Literally "do we do in half?" — ask this to friends before paying.
Oggi pago io.
casualIt's on me today.
Use this with friends when you want to treat them.
Va bene così, grazie.
neutralKeep the change, thanks.
Literally "it goes well like this" — say this when handing over cash.