Ordering a coffee Part 2: Indicates whether the coffee is for in-store or to be taken out.
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Key Phrases
Je voudrais commander
I would like to order
Vous désirez quelque chose à manger
Would you like something to eat
Ça sera prêt dans quelques minutes
It will be ready in a few minutes
Skills You'll Learn
Ordering a coffee in a café
Commander un café dans un café
Making polite requests
Faire des demandes polies
Understanding responses about order preparation
Comprendre les réponses sur la préparation de la commande
Lesson Roleplay
Imagine you are in a cozy cafe in France. You walk up to the counter and politely order a coffee. The barista, in a friendly tone, asks whether you would like your coffee for here or to go. After deciding to stay, you are given the option between a black coffee or a latte. You choose a latte and are asked if you'd like anything to eat with it, but you decline. The barista assures you that your coffee will be ready shortly, and you express your gratitude.
Bonjour! Je voudrais commander un café, s'il vous plaît.
Hello! I would like to order a coffee, please.
Bien sûr, vous le voulez pour ici ou à emporter?
Sure, would you like it for here or to go?
Pour ici, s'il vous plaît.
For here, please.
D'accord. Vous préférez un café noir ou un café au lait?
Okay. Do you prefer a black coffee or a latte?
Un café au lait, s'il vous plaît.
A latte, please.
Lesson Vocabulary & Phrases
Bonjour
bohn-zhoor
Hello
💬 Use 'Bonjour' until about 6 PM, then switch to 'Bonsoir' for evening greetings.
🇫🇷 The French use greetings abundantly, so always say 'Bonjour' when entering any store or cafe.
See breakdown →Je
zhuh
I
💬 Pronounced as the 's' in 'measure'.
🇫🇷 The subject pronoun 'je' is often shortened to 'j’' before a vowel, e.g. 'j’aime'.”
See breakdown →Voudrais
voo-dreh
Would like
💬 A polite way to express want or desire in French, similar to 'would like' in English.
See breakdown →Commander
koh-mahn-day
To order
💬 Not to be confused with 'command', which means to order someone around.
See breakdown →Je voudrais commander
zhuh voo-dreh koh-mahn-day
I would like to order
Café
ka-fay
Coffee
💬 Don't confuse 'café' (coffee) with 'le café' (the café or coffee shop).
🇫🇷 Espresso is common in France; if you want American-style coffee, you might ask for 'un café allongé'.
See breakdown →Un café
uhn ka-fay
A coffee
S'il vous plaît
s eel voo pleh
Please
💬 Use 'S'il te plaît' in informal contexts.
🇫🇷 Manners are important in France; always say 'please' when ordering.
See breakdown →Learn this vocabulary list the easy way
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