We are paying separately.
pah-LYAH-mo — 'gh' before 'i' = hard 'g'. Separatamente: seh-pah-rah-tah-MEHN-teh.
Use when a group wants to split the bill individually. Inform the waiter early — ideally before ordering — as splitting bills can be complex for Italian restaurants.
'Paghiamo' is the first person plural of 'pagare' (to pay). 'Separatamente' = separately. Note: many Italian restaurants prefer one bill per table — asking early and politely improves your chances of success.
Possiamo avere conti separati?
Can we have separate bills?
More formal request for separate checks.
Facciamo alla romana.
We're splitting it equally.
'Alla romana' literally means 'Roman style' — splitting equally regardless of what each person ate.
Ognuno paga per sé.
Everyone pays for themselves.
Explicit statement that each person pays their own share.
Splitting bills is less common in traditional Italian dining culture, where one person typically pays ('offre') or the group pools together. The phrase 'facciamo alla romana' (splitting equally) is culturally well-understood and widely practiced among friends.