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How to Say ‘A coffee, please.’ in Portuguese

Um café, se faz favor.

oom kah-FEH seh fahz fuh-VOR

[oom kah-FEH seh fahz fuh-VOR]

💬 Usage Tip: se faz favor is the everyday Portuguese "please" when asking for something. por favor works too, but se faz favor sounds more natural at a counter.

Phrase Breakdown

Um café,

oom kah-FEH

A coffee,

In Portugal, 'um café' means an espresso. 'Um' is nasal, like 'oong'. Stress the end of 'café'.

Example

Um café e um pastel de nata.

An espresso and a custard tart.

Words in this phrase

[oom]

a; one

Indefinite article or number used before a masculine singular noun.

Example

No seguimento do evento, foi um prazer e Um gosto falar consigo.

Following the event, it was a pleasure and a delight to speak with you.

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.

se faz favor.

seh fahz fuh-VOR

please.

This is a very Portuguese way to say 'please'. It often sounds like 'sfash fuh-VOR'.

Example

A conta, se faz favor.

The bill, please.

Words in this phrase

[seh]

(part of 'se faz favor')

Reflexive/impersonal particle in the polite phrase meaning 'please'.

Example

Um café, se faz favor.

A coffee, please.

faz

[fahz]

makes

Causes (something) to happen or be brought about.

Example

O filme me faz chorar.

The movie makes me cry.

favor

[fuh-VOR]

favor

With por, it forms please.

Example

Um momento, por "favor", enquanto verifico a data.

One moment, "please," while I check the date.

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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