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How to Say ‘I'd like a coffee’ in Portuguese

Queria um café

kuh-REE-uh oong kah-FEH

[kuh-REE-uh oong kah-FEH]

💬 Usage Tip: Queria literally means "I wanted", but it's the standard polite way to ask for something. Swap in anything: Queria uma água "I'd like a water".

🇵🇹 In Portugal: Order just um café in Portugal and you'll get a small, strong espresso, not a mug of filter coffee. Many locals simply call it a bica, especially in Lisbon.

Phrase Breakdown

Queria

[kuh-REE-uh]

I would like

A polite way to introduce what you want to say.

Example

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.

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.

Related guides

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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