How to Split the Bill in Portuguese: Paying Together or Separately
Ask for the bill and say clearly whether you want one payment, separate payments, or to divide the total.
Real Life Portuguese · 5 min read · Updated October 14, 2026
The short answer
A conta is the bill. To get the server’s attention, say Com licença and then A conta, por favor. In many restaurants, the bill arrives after you ask for it.
Ask for the check politely
If you are not ready to pay, say Só mais um minuto, por favor. This lets the server know you are still deciding.
Com licença, a conta, por favor.
Excuse me, the check, please.
Pode trazer a conta quando puder?
Could you bring the bill when you can?
Só mais um minuto; ainda estamos escolhendo.
Just one more minute; we’re still choosing.
Say whether you want separate payments
Ask whether everyone can pay separately: Podemos pagar separado? If you prefer one transaction, say Vamos pagar tudo junto.
Payment procedures vary by restaurant. Clarify the arrangement before the server processes payment, especially if everyone wants to use a different method.
Podemos pagar separado?
Can we pay separately?
Vamos pagar tudo junto no mesmo cartão.
We’ll pay everything together on the same card.
Cada pessoa pode pagar a sua parte?
Can each person pay their own share?
Choose an even split or pay by item
Dividir a conta means to split the bill. You can ask to divide the total evenly or pay according to what each person ordered; say which arrangement you mean.
If you are unsure about a service charge, ask whether it is included. A conta and taxa de serviço are useful words to recognize on a bill.
Podemos dividir a conta igualmente?
Can we split the bill evenly?
Cada um paga o que pediu.
Everyone pays for what they ordered.
A taxa de serviço está incluída?
Is the service charge included?
Put it into practice
Specify one payment, separate payments, an even split, or each person’s own items so the restaurant knows what you mean.
Quick practice
Which Portuguese example matches “Excuse me, the check, please”?
Choose an answer to check yourself.
Keep practicing with the Real Life Portuguese app
Build on this guide with everyday expressions and native Brazilian audio. Choose iPhone, Android, or the web app.