Italian · Travel & Getting Around
"Keep the change" in Italian: tenga il resto
tenga il resto
Keep the change in Italian is tenga il resto—formal lei with cashiers, drivers, and bar staff. Keep the whole set phrase as written.
Taxi drop-off
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How to pronounce tenga il resto
Say it
TEN-gah eel RES-toh
/ˈtɛn.ɡa il ˈrɛs.to/
Tenga il resto: TEN-gah eel RES-toh. Soft g in tenga.
"Keep the change" in Italian: quick reference
| Italian | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| tenga il resto | keep the change Formal default. | Formal default. |
| tenga pure il resto | go ahead, keep the change Warmer tip. | Warmer tip. |
| il resto è per lei | the change is for you Alternate formal. | Alternate formal. |
| non serve il resto | no need for the change Casual equivalent. | Casual equivalent. |
How to use tenga il resto in real life
- 1Taxi drop-off
Grazie, tenga il resto.
Thanks, keep the change.
Classic tip.
- 2Bar coperto
Va bene così—tenga il resto.
That's fine—keep the change.
Small bill.
- 3Hotel lobby shop
Ecco dieci euro; tenga il resto.
Here's ten euros; keep the change.
Handing cash.
Mistakes English speakers make with tenga il resto
Incorrect: Tieni il resto.
Correct: Tenga il resto.
The headword is formal tenga with staff you don't know.
Incorrect: Tenga il restauro.
Correct: Tenga il resto.
Resto means change money; restauro is restoration.
Good to know
Tipping in Italy is modest: rounding up or small cash with tenga il resto is common with taxis and bars. Service is often already included, so this line means kindness more than obligation.
Try it in a ChatPal conversation
Paying a taxi after the airport
ChatPal
Sono diciotto euro.
That's eighteen euros.
You
Prenda venti—tenga il resto.
Take twenty—keep the change.
ChatPal
Grazie. Tenga il resto? Molto gentile.
Thanks. Keep the change? Very kind.
You
Di niente, buona giornata.
You're welcome, have a nice day.
This is a sample. In ChatPal you have this conversation out loud and get feedback on what you say.
Practice this conversation in ChatPal"Keep the change" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "Keep the change" in Italian
Exact phrase?
Tenga il resto.
Why tenga not tieni?
Formal lei with service staff.
Warmer?
Tenga pure il resto.
What is resto?
The change (money left over).
Learn a word, then use it out loud
- Step 1: See it in context
- Step 2: Say it out loud
- Step 3: Get feedback
- Step 4: Use it in real scenarios
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