Finished dinner in Sardinia and want to ask for the bill politely? In Italian, the easiest phrase is “Il conto, per favore” (“The bill, please”). If you want to try Sardinian, you may hear or see expressions such as “Su contu, po praxeri”, but Sardinian varies by area and spelling, so the most widely understood option for visitors is still the Italian phrase.
The easiest way to ask for the bill
At a restaurant, make eye contact with the server and say:
- Il conto, per favore. — The bill, please.
- Possiamo avere il conto, per favore? — Could we have the bill, please?
- Quando può, ci porta il conto? — Could you bring us the bill when you have a moment?
In Italy, staff may not automatically bring the bill as soon as you finish eating. Asking for it is normal and polite; you do not need to rush or wave dramatically.
Can you say “Su contu, po praxeri” in Sardinian?
“Su contu, po praxeri” is presented as a Sardinian way to say “the bill, please.” However, Sardinian has several varieties, and vocabulary, pronunciation and spelling can differ between localities. If you want to use the phrase confidently in a specific town, ask a local speaker how it is said there.
If the server does not understand, simply switch to “Il conto, per favore”. It is clear throughout Sardinia and Italy.
Useful phrases when paying
- Possiamo pagare con carta? — Can we pay by card?
- Accettate contanti? — Do you accept cash?
- Possiamo dividere il conto? — Can we split the bill?
- È già incluso il servizio? — Is service already included?
- Mi porta una ricevuta, per favore? — Could you bring me a receipt, please?
- Grazie, era tutto buonissimo. — Thank you, everything was delicious.
Should you ask for the bill in Sardinian or Italian?
Either is fine. A local-language greeting can be a friendly gesture, but you do not need to speak Sardinian to be welcomed. Italian is widely understood, and a simple “Buonasera”, “per favore” and “grazie” will take you a long way.
Do restaurants bring the bill automatically?
Often, no. In many Italian restaurants, the bill is brought when you ask for it. If you are ready to leave, catch the server's attention politely and say “Il conto, per favore.” At a busy restaurant, it may take a little while.
Useful pronunciation tip
For Italian, say il CÓN-to, per fa-VÓ-re. If you try the Sardinian expression, pronunciations can vary by dialect, so listen to local speakers rather than assuming one version works everywhere.
Frequently asked questions
How do I ask for the bill in Sardinia?
Say “Il conto, per favore.” It is polite and understood throughout Sardinia.
What does “Su contu, po praxeri” mean?
It is offered as a Sardinian expression meaning “the bill, please.” Local forms and spellings vary, so check with a speaker from the area if exact local usage matters.
Is it rude to ask for the bill?
No. Asking politely is normal. You can say “Possiamo avere il conto, per favore?” if you prefer a full sentence.
How do I ask to split the bill?
Say “Possiamo dividere il conto?” — “Can we split the bill?”
How do I ask if I can pay by card?
Say “Possiamo pagare con carta?” — “Can we pay by card?”
The bottom line
For a simple, polite request in a Sardinian restaurant, say “Il conto, per favore.” You can try “Su contu, po praxeri” as a Sardinian expression, but remember that local varieties differ. Add grazie and you are all set.
