How to Say ‘I'd like a latte, but I'm not quite sure what it's called here.’ in Portuguese
Queria um latte, mas não sei bem como se chama cá.
kuh-REE-uh oong lah-teh mas NOWN say BEHNG koh-moo see SHAH-mah kah
[kuh-REE-uh oong lah-teh mas NOWN say BEHNG koh-moo see SHAH-mah kah]
🇵🇹 In Portugal: Ordering a "latte" may well get you a plain glass of milk, since leite means milk. The closest local drink is a galão.
Phrase Breakdown
Queria um latte,
kuh-REE-uh oong lah-teh
I'd like a latte,
This is the polite ordering formula. Pause briefly at the comma.
Queria um latte, se faz favor.
I'd like a latte, please.
Words in this phrase
Queria
[kuh-REE-uh]
I would like
A polite way to introduce what you want to say.
Na frase «Queria» agradecer, o tom fica mais suave e profissional.
In the phrase “I would like” to thank, the tone becomes softer and more professional.
um
[oong]
a
An indefinite article used before a masculine singular noun.
Em «um» prazer, o artigo introduz a expressão educada.
In “a” pleasure, the article introduces the polite expression.
latte
[lah-teh]
Latte
A coffee drink made with espresso and steamed milk.
Quando quero um café suave, peço um Latte.
When I want a smooth coffee, I ask for a Latte.
mas não sei bem
mas NOWN say BEHNG
but I'm not quite sure
'Mas' sounds like 'mush' because in Portugal a final 's' sounds like 'sh'. Then comes the nasal 'não' and 'bem'.
Gosto, mas não sei bem porquê.
I like it, but I'm not quite sure why.
Words in this phrase
mas
[mas]
But
Used to introduce something contrasting.
Eu gostaria de ir, mas não posso.
I would like to go, but I can't.
não
[NOWN]
not
Used to negate the meaning of a word or group of words.
Não quero comer agora.
I don't want to eat now.
sei
[say]
know
To be aware of through observation or information.
Eu sei a resposta.
I know the answer.
bem
[BEHNG]
well
In a good or satisfactory way.
Ele fez o trabalho muito bem.
He did the job very well.
como se chama cá.
koh-moo see SHAH-mah kah
what it's called here.
Say 'KOH-moo suh SHAH-muh kah', with the stress on 'CHA' and a clear final 'cá'.
Não sei como se chama cá.
I don't know what it's called here.
Words in this phrase
como
[koh-moo]
How
Used to ask the manner or condition something is in.
Perguntei-me: Como vou fazer isso?
I asked myself: How will I do that?
se
[see]
itself
Reflexive pronoun used for emphasis or to reflect action.
A história se repete.
History repeats itself.
chama
[SHAH-mah]
calls
A form of 'chamar' (to call); with 'se' it means 'is called' or 'is named'.
Como se chama o teu pai?
What is your father's name?
cá
[kah]
here
An informal word meaning here, often used in spoken Portuguese.
Cá o esperamos no sábado à noite.
We’ll be expecting you here on Saturday night.
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