19 Comments
Besides the "check/bill" controversy: Why we are using here "e il tuo conto" instead of "ed il tuo conto"?
Can someone clarify what this sentence means...? Is it a request you might make at a restaurant, where you ask for the bill ("check")?
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In the US, it's common to ask for "the check" at a restaurant. I'd say it's more common that asking for "the bill."
In the UK we only use the word "bill". "Check" could be understood as "cheque" which is obviously different. The sentence sounds like a waiter bringing you your bill, (i.e. what you have to pay), at the same time as he brings the soup. Though usually a waiter would use the formal third person, not "tu"
Thanks, never come across it, I thought he might have stumbled into a materials shop as well.
I'm not a native English speaker, but I believe "check" and "bill" are interchangeable in most parts of the US. And yes, "cheque" tells a different story. As with Italian, context is key.
Yes, context is key: without it, I heard "e'" instead of "e" and "in" instead of "il", no matter how many times I replayed it.
I see. I only take text-based lessons here, so I wouldn't know anything about those kinds of issues. I've seen several people complain about poor speech engine design, though.
You might be better off supplementing Duolingo with an audio book - with spoken recordings featuring actual humans - if you're serious about learning how to speak Italian as well as writing it.
After three months of Italian lessons in Rome in a class of eight, Duolingo is simply one way of "keeping me on my toes," especially as I travel. Thanks.
Almost. The word "check" only means "bill" in a restaurant. An American would not say "check" when refering to their electricity bill.
I have never understood this use of the word "check," and I'm an American. So if you're confused, don't worry, so are we.
We usually say " Bring the bill, or the check, or my check, or my bill" We never say your check to a waiter.
The context here (or lack thereof, suggests it is the waiter speaking here. As someone mentioned above, the waiter, however, would not use the familiar form.
I commented on this in another context, saying I believe it is the waiter speaking to someone who asked for her soup and her bill. Possibly, this waiter might know this person, hence his using the familiar term.
The soup and the check? That's not much of a meal, especially in an Italian restaurant. "Il conto, per favore" should come at the end of a three-course dinner, at least. In New York I have always asked for the "check" instead of "bill", don't know why.
The soup and a check? Shouldn't on finish the soup first? That's not much of a meal, especially in an Italian restaurant. In Italy, "il conto, per favore" should follow a three-course meal! In New York, we always ask for the check, rather than the bill, although the latter makes for sense.
