Conta

Conta is a term found in Romance languages, especially Portuguese and Italian, with meanings tied to counting, accounting, and recording. In general, it can function as a noun or a verb and derives from Latin roots related to counting and computation.

In Portuguese, conta is a feminine noun meaning an account (as in a bank account, a conta bancária) or a bill/check (a conta do restaurante). It also denotes the act of counting or calculating (fazer as contas). As a verb form, conta is the third-person singular present indicative of contar (he/she counts). In digital and financial contexts, conta is used for user accounts (conta de usuário) and other ledger entries.

In Italian, conta is the third-person singular present indicative of contare (to count). For the noun sense of a bill or check, Italian uses conto rather than conta.

Etymology traces conta to Latin contare or computare, forms that mean to count, reckon, or calculate. The term has spread across Romance languages with related senses in counting, accounting, and record-keeping, while separate languages have developed their own common nouns for specific uses such as conto in Italian for a bill.