The Situation
You go to a café. The barista (the person who makes coffee) asks you several quick questions. If you know the questions, it's easy!
Key Phrases
Ordering
| You say | Note |
|---|---|
| Can I have a coffee, please? | polite and common |
| I'd like a tea, please. | also polite |
| A latte, please. | short and fine |
| And a croissant, please. | add food |
| That's all, thanks. | you are finished |
The barista's questions
| Barista | You |
|---|---|
| What can I get you? / What would you like? | A coffee, please. |
| What size? / Small, medium or large? | Medium, please. |
| Any milk or sugar? | Just milk, please. / No, thanks. |
| For here or to go? | For here. / To go, please. |
| Anything else? | No, that's all, thanks. |
| Can I get a name for the order? | Anna. |
"For here" = you drink it in the café. "To go" (US/Canada) or "to take away" (UK) = you take it with you.
Paying
- How much is it?
- Can I pay by card?
- Cash is fine.
- Do you want your receipt? — No, thanks. / Yes, please.
Dialogue 1: A Coffee To Go
Barista: Hi! What can I get you? Anna: Hi, can I have a coffee, please? Barista: Sure. What size? Anna: Medium, please. Barista: Milk or sugar? Anna: Just milk, please. Barista: For here or to go? Anna: To go. Barista: That's $3.25. Anna: Can I pay by card? Barista: Of course. Just tap here. Anna: Thank you!
Dialogue 2: Tea and Something to Eat
Barista: Hello! What would you like? Ivan: I'd like a large tea, please. And a muffin. Barista: Blueberry or chocolate? Ivan: Blueberry, please. Barista: Do you want it hot? Ivan: Yes, please. Barista: Anything else? Ivan: No, that's all, thanks. Barista: OK, $6.50. We'll bring it to your table.
Tips
- In Canada and the US, people often leave a tip (extra money) in cafés — the card machine may ask you. It's your choice.
- If you don't understand, say: Sorry, can you repeat that?
- A latte has a lot of milk. A cappuccino has milk and foam. An Americano is coffee with hot water.
Common Mistakes
- "Give me a coffee." → sounds rude. Say Can I have a coffee, please?
- "I want a coffee." → OK with friends, but I'd like a coffee is more polite.
- "How much it costs?" → How much is it? / How much does it cost?
- "One coffee with a milk." → A coffee with milk. (no a before milk)
Your Turn: Practise Speaking
- Order your favourite drink with a size and milk or sugar.
- Answer these questions out loud: For here or to go? Anything else? Cash or card?
- Practise Dialogue 2 but change the food and drink.