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
Je
zhuh
I
Voudrais
voo-dreh
Would like
💬 [Je voudrais] is the usual polite pattern for asking for something: [Je voudrais un café], [Je voudrais payer]. Here [voudrais] means "would like," not a literal wish in English.
See breakdown →Commander
koh-mahn-day
To order
Je voudrais commander
zhuh voo-dreh koh-mahn-day
I would like to order
💬 [Je voudrais + thing/verb] is a very useful polite frame: [Je voudrais un café] or [Je voudrais commander]. It sounds softer than a direct [Je veux].
See breakdown →Un
uhn
A
Café
ka-fay
Coffee
Un café
uhn ka-fay
A coffee
S'il vous plaît
s eel voo pleh
Please
🇫🇷 This is the standard polite [please] with strangers in shops and cafés. In France it is expected, not extra-formal.
See breakdown →Learn this vocabulary list the easy way
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