How to Say ‘Just a coffee.’ in Portuguese

Só um café.

saw oong kah-FEH

[saw oong kah-FEH]

🇵🇹 In Portugal: In Portugal, um café means a small espresso, not a mug of filter coffee. Ask for um galão if you want a big milky one.

Phrase Breakdown

Só

[saw]

only / just

Used to make something sound modest or unimportant in a polite way.

Example

É só um detalhe, e só minimiza o presente com humildade.

It's just a small detail, and 'só' downplays the gift with humility.

[oong]

An indefinite article used before a masculine singular noun.

Example

Em «um» prazer, o artigo introduz a expressão educada.

In “a” pleasure, the article introduces the polite expression.

café

[kah-FEH]

coffee

Literally coffee; in networking contexts, it often means an informal meeting.

Example

Aceitava um café para falarmos melhor.

I would accept a coffee to talk more properly.

Guides for Portuguese learners

The Portuguese You Actually Need in Your First Month in PortugalThe European Portuguese phrases for your first weeks in Portugal: paperwork, renting a flat, the bank, the health centre, cafés, trains and your new neighbours.

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