
Ordering a coffee Part 2: Indicates whether the coffee is for in-store or to be taken out.
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Key Phrases
Che cosa posso offrirti?
What can I offer you?
Vuoi da portar via o lo prendi qui?
Do you want it to-go or will you have it here?
Desideri aggiungere latte o zucchero?
Would you like to add milk or sugar?
Skills You'll Learn
Ordering coffee in a café
Ordinare un caffè al bar
Asking preferences for take-away or dine-in
Chiedere preferenze per asporto o consumo sul posto
Discussing additions to a coffee
Parlare di aggiunte al caffè
Lesson Roleplay
Imagine you're at a small Italian café on a quiet, sunny morning. You're greeted by the friendly barista who asks for your order. You request a coffee and decide to have it there, rather than to-go. The barista offers milk or sugar, and you opt for a little milk. The scene concludes with the barista bringing your freshly made coffee to your table.
Buongiorno! Che cosa posso offrirti oggi?
Good morning! What can I offer you today?
Ciao! Vorrei un caffè per favore.
Hi! I would like a coffee, please.
Certo! Vuoi il caffè da portar via o lo prendi qui?
Sure! Do you want the coffee to-go or will you have it here?
Lo prendo qui, grazie.
I'll have it here, thanks.
Va bene. Desideri aggiungere latte o zucchero?
Alright. Would you like to add milk or sugar?
Lesson Vocabulary & Phrases
Buongiorno
bwohn-JOHR-noh
Good morning
💬 Used formally throughout the day until the evening.
🇮🇹 A warm 'Buongiorno' is appreciated and expected in many social interactions.
See breakdown →Che
keh
What
💬 Used often to form questions, like 'What's going on? - Che succede?'
🇮🇹 Italians love asking questions as a way to engage in conversations!
See breakdown →Cosa
KOH-sah
Thing
💬 Often paired with 'che', e.g., 'Che cosa?' to mean 'What thing?'
🇮🇹 In conversation, expressing curiosity by asking 'cosa' is considered polite.
See breakdown →Posso
POHS-soh
Can I
💬 Used when asking for permission or offering help.
🇮🇹 An essential verb for polite requests in Italy.
See breakdown →Offrirti
oh-FREER-tee
Offer you
💬 A friendly gesture often heard in cafes and bars.
🇮🇹 Italians love to 'offrire' something nice to their friends or guests.
See breakdown →Che cosa posso offrirti?
keh KOH-sah POHS-soh oh-FREER-tee
What can I offer you?
💬 Sounds more polite when starting with 'Che cosa'.
🇮🇹 It's a common phrase in Italian hospitality, whether in homes or businesses.
See breakdown →Oggi
OHD-jee
Today
💬 Useful for planning and daily conversations.
🇮🇹 Used frequently to discuss daily activities and food specials.
See breakdown →Ciao!
CHOW
Hi!
💬 Informal greeting for friends and peers.
🇮🇹 'Ciao' is so versatile, it means both 'hello' and 'goodbye'.
See breakdown →Vorrei
vohr-REH-ee
I would like
💬 A polite way to express desire or request something.
🇮🇹 Essential in cafes, e.g., 'Vorrei un caffè' = 'I would like a coffee'.
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