Fact:
Language barriers often challenge foreign coffee explorers wanting to order their favorite coffee in different countries.
But:
Do you have to be an expert in other languages to savor your sweet beverage? No.
To solve this issue, I have provided common phrases for ordering coffee in different languages to make your coffee expeditions worthwhile.
Let’s begin!
Table of Contents
How To Order Coffee in Spanish (Café)
Get this:
According to Statista, approximately 548.3 million people across 21 countries speak Spanish; in the United States alone, there are over 40 million speakers.
This makes it the fourth most spoken language in the world.
So it’s helpful to learn some Spanish phrases to interact fluently if you ever find yourself in a Spanish setting.
Therefore, I’d like to share common phrases you should know to order coffee in Spanish like a pro.
Now:
To order a cup of coffee, you say, “Quisiera una taza de café, por favor.” It means, “I’d like a cup of coffee, please?”
To switch things up:
You can order a café cubano—a popular coffee beverage among Latinos—by saying, “Me gustaría una taza de café cubano.” It translates to, “I would like a cup of Cuban coffee.”
See the table below for more creative ways to order coffee in Spanish:
English | Spanish |
---|---|
Can I have more coffee? | ¿Puedo tomar más café? Pronunciation |
Coffee with milk | Café con leche Pronunciation |
Do you have any sugar or sweetener? | ¿Tienes azúcar o edulcorante? Pronunciation |
Hot, please. | Caliente, por favor. Pronunciation |
What is the coffee specialty in this region? | ¿Cuál es la especialidad del café en esta región? Pronunciation |
Can you bring me an Americano? | ¿Puedes traerme un americano? Pronunciation |
How much is it? | ¿Cuánto cuesta? Pronunciation |
I have also curated a list of popular coffee types and what they are in Spanish:
Coffee Type | Spanish |
---|---|
Espresso | Café exprés Pronunciation |
Two shots of Espresso | Dos tiros de espresso Pronunciation |
Espresso Macchiato | espresso macchiato Pronunciation |
Espresso with sweetened condensed milk | Espresso con leche condensada azucarada Pronunciation |
Decaffeinated | Descafeinado or Descafeinada Pronunciation |
Espresso with whiskey or rum | Espresso con whisky o ron Pronunciation |
Stained milk | Leche Manchada Pronunciation |
Latte Macchiato | Latte Macchiato Pronunciation |
American coffee | Café americano or café Americana Pronunciation |
Espresso with condensed milk and brandy | Espresso con leche condensada y brandy Pronunciation |
How To Order Coffee in Italian (Caffè)
Check this out:
The majority of the coffee lingo we use all over the world is Italian.
For example, the word “caffè“ in English means coffee. But when you order “caffè“ at an Italian restaurant, you’ll likely get an espresso served in a demitasse cup.
Although:
You might be familiar with some of these Italian phrases, but locally, they translate differently.
So if you order a latte, you’d most likely get a glass of cold milk.
Interesting right?
Well, my Italian caffè appassionato (Italian coffee aficionado), let’s go over some common phrases for ordering coffee in Italian.
English | Italian |
---|---|
A latte, please. | Un cappuccino, per favore. Pronunciation |
Good day. A cup of coffee, please. | Buona giornata. Una tazza di caffè, per favore. Pronunciation |
More coffee, please. | Altro caffè, per favore. Pronunciation |
May I see the menu, please? | Posso vedere il menu, per favore? Pronunciation |
What is the coffee specialty in this region? | Qual è la specialità del caffè in questa region? Pronunciation |
How much does it cost? | Quanto costa? Pronunciation |
This coffee tastes great! | Questo caffè ha un ottimo sapore! Pronunciation |
The table below includes popular coffee beverages and Italian translations:
Coffee Type | Italian |
---|---|
Espresso with foamed milk | Espresso con latte schiumato Pronunciation |
Espresso with a little bit of frosted milk | Espresso con un po’ di latte ghiacciato Pronunciation |
Steamed milk stained with a shot of espresso | Latte al vapore macchiato di un bicchierino di caffè espresso Pronunciation |
Espresso with a splash of liquor | Espresso con una spruzzata di liquore Pronunciation |
Long Coffee | Caffè Lungo Pronunciation |
Espresso shaken with ice and sugar | Espresso shakerato con ghiaccio e zucchero Pronunciation |
Double shots of espresso | Doppi colpi di espresso Pronunciation |
A shot of decaf | Un bicchierino di decaffeinato Pronunciation |
Espresso diluted with hot water | Espresso diluito con acqua calda Pronunciation |
Espresso with hot milk | Espresso con latte caldo Pronunciation |
Espresso with whipped cream | Espresso con panna montata Pronunciation |
Ice cream mixed with espresso | Gelato mescolato con espresso Pronunciation |
Espresso, chocolate syrup with milk, and cocoa | Espresso, sciroppo di cioccolato con latte e cacao Pronunciation |
Note:
When visiting Italy, it’s a good idea to pay attention to the coffee specialties of the region you are in. In addition, ordering milk-based espressos after 11 a.m. is frowned upon in Italy; Italians are pretty particular about digestion.
You could also grab a pastry to accompany your coffee.
How To Order Coffee in French (Café)
Get this:
French is the official and native dialect of over 39 countries, as reported by WorldData.info. As a result, learning common phrases to order coffee in the language is essential, especially when visiting French-speaking countries.
Also:
Ordering coffee in French is quite interesting. For example, un café means “a coffee.“ However, by saying this to a barista, they will most likely serve you an espresso. It is the traditional standard of coffee in France.
So to begin:
Start by saying “bonne journée.” It is a general salutation, which translates to “good day.” After placing your order, you can thank the barista by saying, “merci.”
Now:
Let us look at some popular expressions used to order coffee in French.
English | French |
---|---|
I would like a cup of coffee. | Je voudrais une tasse de café. Pronunciation |
I’d like an espresso, please. | Je voudrais un expresso, s’il vous plaît. Pronunciation |
Good day. A latte, please. | Bonne journée. Un café au lait, s’il vous plaît. Pronunciation |
Coffee to go | Café à importer. Pronunciation |
Hello. I would like a café crème, please. Thanks. | Bonjour. Je voudrais un café crème, s’il vous plaît. Merci. Pronunciation |
With milk/ Without milk | Avec lait/ Sans lait Pronunciation |
Hot/ Cold | Chaud/ Froid Pronunciation |
I’ll have a decaf | Je vais prendre un déca Pronunciation |
Here are a few examples you can use to order your preferred coffee:
Coffee Type | French |
---|---|
Espresso with a little splash of milk or cream | Espresso avec un peu de lait ou de crème Pronunciation |
Filtered Coffee | Café filtré Pronunciation |
Coffee with hot milk | Café au lait chaud Pronunciation |
Decaf iced coffee | Café glacé décaféiné Pronunciation |
Black Coffee | Café noir Pronunciation |
Espresso with cocoa powder and whipped cream | Espresso au cacao en poudre et chantilly Pronunciation |
Drip Coffee | Café filter Pronunciation |
A cup of coffee with a selection of desserts | Une tasse de café avec une sélection de desserts. Pronunciation |
Restricted shot of espresso | Tir restreint d’espresso Pronunciation |
Espresso with steamed milk and lots of foam | Espresso avec du lait cuit à la vapeur et beaucoup de mousse Pronunciation |
Decaffeinated coffee | Café décaféiné Pronunciation |
Pro Tip: The French enjoy coffee with tasty pastries like baguettes, croissants, tartine, or even donuts. You should try these too.
How To Order Coffee In Arabic (Qahwa)
Fact:
Legend has it that Ethiopia is widely regarded as the birthplace of coffee. But the Arabs were the first to cultivate and trade various coffee beans.
So if you ever find yourself in the Middle East, you should be ready to see many coffee houses (maqhà).
Now:
What are the common phrases to know if you ever find yourself ordering coffee in an Arabic restaurant or country?
English | Arabic |
---|---|
I would like a cup of coffee | ‘urid finjanan min alqahwa Pronunciation |
With milk | mae Karima Pronunciation |
With cream | mae Karima Pronunciation |
Decaffeinated | manzueat alkafiin Pronunciation |
With sugar | mae sukar Pronunciation |
Hot Coffee | Qahwat sākhinah Pronunciation |
Cold Coffee | Qahwat bāridah Pronunciation |
Now:
The most popular coffee drink from the Middle East is Turkish coffee. But there are different variations that you should know as well.
1. Saudi Arabic Coffee (Al–qahwa)
The Saudi coffee is brewed from roasted coffee beans and blended with spices such as cardamom, cinnamon, clove, and saffron. It is usually served in a dallah (Arabic coffee pot) with candied fruits or dates.
To order it, you’d say, “hal yumkinuni alhusul ealaa finjan min alqahwat alearabiat alsueudia.”
2. Turkish Coffee
Get this:
Turkish coffee is often brewed without filtering. Also, regardless of the many coffee cup sizes out there, the Turks prefer to serve theirs in traditional small cups.
The best part:
You can read your fortune with Turkish coffee grounds at the bottom of your cup.
So:
To order a Turkish coffee, you can say, “hal yumkinuni alhusul finjan min alqahwat alturkia.”
3. Yemeni Arabic Coffee
The Yemen Arabic coffee is a crowd favorite due to its rich flavor and is well-known for its chocolate aftertaste.
Common variations of Yemeni Arabic coffee are Allan coffee, Qishr Yemeni coffee, Sweet hadrami coffee, and Yemeni white coffee.
To order a Yemeni coffee, simply say, “hal yumkinuni alhusul ealaa finjan min alqahwat alyamania.”
How To Order Coffee In German (Kaffee)
Check this out:
Coffee is an essential part of German culture; Germans have a tradition of Kaffee und Kuchen. This tradition is a social gathering where family and friends come together to have a good time over coffee and cake.
In fact:
Study shows that the nation is the second leading importer of coffee globally. It invested over $3 billion and $450 million in coffee and beer importation, respectively, from 2020 to 2021.
So we can say that Germans prefer and drink a lot more coffee than beer.
Well:
If you ever find yourself ordering coffee from a German-speaking barista, the phrases below will make the job easier.
English | German |
---|---|
Good morning/ Good day | Guten Morgen/ Guten Tag. Pronunciation |
A coffee, please. | Einen Kaffee, bitter. Pronunciation |
A coffee to go, please. | Einen Kaffee zum Mitnehmen, bitter. Pronunciation |
May I see the menu, please? | Darf ich bitte die Speisekarte sehen? Pronunciation |
One coffee latte, please. | Einen Kaffee Latte, bitter? Pronunciation |
With sugar, please. | Mit Zucker, bitter. Pronunciation |
This coffee tastes great! | Dieser Kaffee schmeckt hervorragend! Pronunciation |
Thank you | Danke Pronunciation |
Here are some common coffee beverages you could find on a menu in a German café:
Coffee Type | German |
---|---|
Caffè Latte (With hot milk) | Caffè Latte (mit heißer Milch) Pronunciation |
Iced Coffee | Eiskaffee Pronunciation |
Black Coffee | Schwarzer Kaffee Pronunciation |
Turkish Coffee | Türkischer Kaffee Pronunciation |
Espresso | Espresso Pronunciation |
Macchiato | Macchiato Pronunciation |
Cappuccino | Cappuccino Pronunciation |
Mocha | Mokka Pronunciation |
Instant Coffee | Pulverkaffee Pronunciation |
Drip Coffee | Kaffee tropfen Pronunciation |
Latte | Latté Pronunciation |
How To Order Coffee in Japanese (Kōhī)
Fun fact:
The Japanese have the largest revenue generation of instant coffee in the world, according to Statista. Although famous for their tea-making expertise, they have also developed their unique coffee culture.
The cool part is:
You can have a delicious cup of coffee in a manga cafè reading comic books or an animal cafè feeding animals.
You can also select your preferred coffee bean depending on the coffee drink and flavor you want.
Amazing right?
Let me show you some simple phrases for ordering a cup of coffee in a Japanese setting.
English | Japanese |
---|---|
Hi, I’d like a small latte, please. | Kon’nichiwa, chīsana rate o onegaishimasu. Pronunciation |
Can I have a large mocha to go? | Ōkina moka o motte iku koto ga dekimasu ka? Pronunciation |
I’d like a coffee, please. | Kōhī o onegaishimasu. Pronunciation |
Please add milk. | Gyūnyū o irete kudasai. Pronunciation |
I’d like an espresso. | Esupuresso o onegaishimasu. Pronunciation |
What is the coffee specialty in this region? | Kono chiiki no kōhī no tokusan-hin wa nanidesu ka? Pronunciation |
How much does it cost? | Sore wa dorekurai shimasu ka? Pronunciation |
Coffee to go | Teikuauto no kōhī Pronunciation |
But that’s not all!
Now let us get to ordering our favorite coffee drink in Japanese:
Coffee Type | Japanese |
Iced Latte | Aisurate Pronunciation |
Espresso | Esupuresso Pronunciation |
Americano | Amerikāno Pronunciation |
Macchiato | Makiāto Pronunciation |
Iced Coffee | Aisukōhī Pronunciation |
Cappuccino | Kapuchīno Pronunciation |
Mocha | Moka Pronunciation |
Flat white | Furattohowaito Pronunciation |
Easy Peasy!
How To Order Coffee in Mandarin (kā fēi)
We all know:
It’s common to get overwhelmed by the Chinese language, so you’re not the only one.
However:
Once you master the basics, ordering a cup of coffee in a Chinese setting would be child’s play.
You can memorize how to order your favorite coffee drinks in Mandarin with the help of the guide below.
English | Mandarin |
---|---|
Hello! I’d like a large cup of coffee. | Nǐ hǎo! Wǒ xiǎng yào yī dà bēi kāfēi. Pronunciation |
Can I get a cup of latte? | Wǒ néng yào yībēi ná tiě ma? Pronunciation |
May I see the menu, please? | Wǒ kěyǐ kàn kàn càidān ma? Pronunciation |
I’d like a medium latte and double shots of espresso. | Wǒ xiǎng yào yībēi zhōng bēi ná tiě hé shuāng fèn yì shì nóngsuō kāfēi. Pronunciation |
Hi! An americano, please. | Nǐ hǎo! Qǐng lái yī fèn měishì kāfēi. Pronunciation |
Coffee to go. | Kāfēi qù. Pronunciation |
To drink here. | Lài zhèlǐ hējiǔ. Pronunciation |
Here are your favorite coffee flavors and what they are in Mandarin:
Coffee Type | Mandarin |
---|---|
Latte | Ná tiě Pronunciation |
Espresso | Nóngsuō kāfēi Pronunciation |
Mocha | Mókǎ kāfēi Pronunciation |
Americano | Měishì kāfēi Pronunciation |
Cappuccino | Kǎ bù jī nuò Pronunciation |
Cold brew | Lěng cuì Pronunciation |
Macchiato | Mǎ qí duǒ Pronunciation |
Double espresso | Shuāng fèn yì shì nó`ngsuō kāfēi Pronunciation |
Caramel macchiato | Jiāo táng mǎ qí duǒ Pronunciation |
Black coffee | Hēi kāfēi Pronunciation |
How To Order Coffee in Portuguese (Café)
Get this:
Coffee is an integral part of the socio-cultural system of the Portuguese people. Also, natives take coffee with family and friends more in cafés than at home.
In most towns and villages in Portugal, people often begin their day with an espresso or bica at a pastelaria.
As a result:
Cafés are on virtually every street serving sharp variants of this drink to cater to the vibrant coffee flair of the people.
Now:
Ordering coffee in Portuguese is not rocket science. All you need is some time to practice the following phrases below to order your favorite drink like a pro.
English | Portuguese |
---|---|
Can I have a coffee, please? | Posso tomar um café, por favor Pronunciation |
Can I get an espresso, please? | Posso pegar um expresso, por favor? Pronunciation |
Can I have a cappuccino, please? | Posso tomar um cappuccino, por favor? Pronunciation |
Can I have a decaf coffee, please? | Posso tomar um café descafeinado, por favor? Pronunciation |
Can I have a coffee to go, please? | Posso tomar um café para viagem, por favor? Pronunciation |
Can I have a coffee with milk? | Posso tomar um café com elite? Pronunciation |
May I see the menu, please? | Posso ver o cardápio, por favor? Pronunciation |
Double espresso, please? | Espresso duplo, por favor? Pronunciation |
Here are some common coffee beverages in Portuguese:
Coffee Type | Portuguese |
---|---|
Espresso | Expresso Pronunciation |
Cappuccino | Capuccino Pronunciation |
Coffee with milk | Café com elite Pronunciation |
Latte | Café com elite Pronunciation |
Macchiato | Macchiato Pronunciation |
Mocha | Moca Pronunciation |
Americano | Americano Pronunciation |
Cortado | Cortado Pronunciation |
Note:
The translations may vary slightly depending on the region or country that you are in.
How To Order Coffee in Russian (Kofe)
Fact:
Coffee in Russia has witnessed different waves in history; the rise and fall of the Soviets have been a major influence on this.
However:
The coffee-literate population in Russia has been on the increase in recent times. So numerous coffee shops are springing up, serving various flavors with different brewing methods.
Therefore:
Learning a phrase or two about ordering coffee in Russian is paramount to joining the new wave of Russian coffeeholic’s.
With this in mind, I have written a few phrases to help make your coffee-ordering experience much more pleasant.
English | Russian |
---|---|
Hello! | Privet! Pronunciation |
I would like a cup of coffee. | YA khotel by chashku kofe. Pronunciation |
I want an espresso, please. | YA khochu espresso, pozhaluysta. Pronunciation |
I would like a cappuccino. | YA by khotel kapuchino Pronunciation |
Small coffee | Malen’kiy kofe Pronunciation |
Large coffee | Bol’shoy kofe Pronunciation |
Coffee with milk and sugar. | Kofe s molokom i sakharom Pronunciation |
May I see the menu, please? | Mogu ya posmotret’ menyu, pozhaluysta? Pronunciation |
Thank you | Spasibo Pronunciation |
T
o top it off:
I have added some popular coffee beverages and how to order them in Russian.
Let’s dive in!
Coffee Type | Russian |
---|---|
Espresso | Espresso Pronunciation |
Cappuccino | Kapuchino Pronunciation |
Latte | Latte Pronunciation |
Americano | Amerikano Pronunciation |
Macchiato | Makiato Pronunciation |
Black coffee | Chernyy kofe Pronunciation |
Frappuccino | Frappuchino Pronunciation |
Flat white coffee | Flet-uayt-kofe Pronunciation |
Caramel coffee | Karamel’nyy kofe Pronunciation |
Tea Coffee | Chay kofe Pronunciation |
Note:
Tea is also a favorite of natives and either goes well with cookies, pastries, or cakes.
How To Order Coffee in Korean (keopi)
Did you know?
Coffee culture has grown in popularity in South Korea, competing with that of traditional beverages like tea and soju.
It’s true!
In fact:
A survey conducted by Statista revealed that 47.7 percent of South Koreans consumed two to three cups of coffee per day.
Consequently:
You should get acquainted with common phrases in Korean to order coffee. This way, you’ll be able to explore the variety of coffee options from traditional coffee shops or specialty cafes.
Consider the following Korean phrases to spice up your conversations with Korean baristas.
English | Korean |
---|---|
Can I have a cup of coffee? | keopi hanjan haedo doelkkayo? Pronunciation |
Can I have an iced coffee? | aiseu keopi masil su issnayo? Pronunciation |
I’d like to add syrup. | sileob-eul chugahago sipseubnida. Pronunciation |
I’d like to add milk. | uyuleul chugahago sipseubnida Pronunciation |
How much is it? | eolmaya? Pronunciation |
Can I have a hot coffee? | tteugeoun keopileul masil su issseubnikka? Pronunciation |
Can I get a cup of coffee to go? | gal ttae keopi han jan bad-eul su issnayo? Pronunciation |
Do you have soy milk? | duyu iss-eoyo? Pronunciation |
May I see the menu, please? | menyuleul bol su iss-eulkkayo? Pronunciation |
Check out these coffee beverages and what they translate to in Korean:
Coffee Type | Korean |
---|---|
Espresso | eseupeuleso Pronunciation |
Americano | amelikano Pronunciation |
Latte | latte Pronunciation |
Decaf | dikapein Pronunciation |
Iced Coffee | aiseu keopi Pronunciation |
Hot Coffee | tteugeoun keopi Pronunciation |
Coffee with milk | uyuleul neoh-eun keopi Pronunciation |
Coffee with sugar | seoltang-eul neoh-eun keopi Pronunciation |
Small Coffee | jag-eun kepi Pronunciation |
Large Coffee | laji keopi Pronunciation |
Instant Coffee | inseuteonteu keopi Pronunciation |
With these phrases in mind, you should be confident walking into a Korean coffee shop to grab your favorite drink.
Pro Tip: Feel free to practice speaking Korean. Even if you make mistakes, locals will appreciate your effort to speak their language and engage with you.
How To Order Coffee in Swedish (Kaffe)
Get this:
The Swedes have an all-encompassing and quality-obsessed coffee culture. Even more, Swedes are among the largest consumers of coffee in the world.
Now:
The Swedish coffee culture is defined by the tradition of “fika.” It refers to the act of taking a break from work or daily activities to enjoy a cup of coffee and some pastries or snacks.
This ritual is so vital to Swedes that it’s considered a social obligation.
Now:
Swedish coffee is extremely strong, so you can start with an espresso-sized mug to see how it affects your digestion.
That being said:
Here are some common coffee-related phrases in Swedish that might be useful if you’re looking to order coffee.
English | Swedish |
---|---|
Can I have a cup of coffee, please? | Kan jag ta en kopp kaffe, tack? Pronunciation |
What types of coffee do you have? | Vilka typer av kaffe har du? Pronunciation |
Is the coffee organic? | Är kaffet ekologiskt? Pronunciation |
A milk packet, please. | Ett mjölkpaket, tack. Pronunciation |
Do you have anything other than sugar? | Har du något annat än socker? Pronunciation |
Do you have soy milk? | Har du sojamjölk? Pronunciation |
I want an espresso, please. | Jag vill ha en espresso, tack. Pronunciation |
Can I get a cup of coffee to go? | Kan jag få en kopp kaffe att gå? Pronunciation |
May I see the menu, please? | Får jag se menyn, tack? Pronunciation |
How much is it? | vad kostar det? Pronunciation |
What’s more?
Whether you prefer a simple black coffee or a more complex specialty drink, you’ll surely find something you like in Sweden.
So:
The following are some of the popular coffee types in Sweden.
Coffee Types | Swedish |
---|---|
Latte | Latte Pronunciation |
Cappuccino | Cappuccino Pronunciation |
Espresso | Espresso Pronunciation |
Americano | Americano Pronunciation |
Macchiato | Macchiato Pronunciation |
Mocha | Mocka Pronunciation |
Pro Tip: If you have some difficulty speaking Swedish, don’t hesitate to ask for help. The Swedish people are known for their kindness and hospitality and will be happy to assist you.
How To Order Coffee in Greek (Kafés)
Get this:
Greeks are great fanatics of coffee, and their coffee culture is an integral part of their daily routine.
Also:
Greek coffee is not the same as what we typically call “coffee” in the Western world.
It is made by boiling finely ground coffee beans with water and sugar in a small, narrow-necked conical pot called a “briki.” The result is a thick, robust, flavorful coffee served in small cups.
Now:
Whether you’re at a traditional coffee shop, a café, or even a street vendor, knowing how to order coffee in Greek can enhance your experience.
Here are some common phrases that can help you order coffee in Greece.
English | Greek |
---|---|
I would like a coffee, please. | Tha íthela énan kafé parakaló. Pronunciation |
A Greek coffee, please. | Énas ellinikós kafés, parakaló Pronunciation |
A Greek frappe, please. | Énas ellinikós frapé, parakaló. Pronunciation |
Can I have some milk, please? | Boró na écho lígo gála parakaló? Pronunciation |
Do you have anything other than sugar? | Écheis káti állo ektós apó záchari? Pronunciation |
What is the coffee specialty in this region? | Poia eínai i spesialité tou kafé se aftí tin periochí? Pronunciation |
This coffee tastes great! | Aftós o kafés échei ypérochi géfsi! Pronunciation |
Note:
The Greek frappe is a popular iced coffee drink made by blending instant coffee, sugar, and cold water.
It’s also worth noting that Greeks typically drink their coffee without milk. So make sure to request milk if it’s your fancy, using the phrase, “Boró na écho lígo gála parakaló?“ It means, “can I have some milk, please?”
Now:
Greece is known for its rich coffee culture, and tourists commonly enjoy several local coffee beverages. Each coffee type has its own unique flavor, strength, and preparation method.
Below are some of the most common coffee types in Greece:
Coffee Types | Greek |
---|---|
Greek Coffee | ELLINIKOS KAFES Pronunciation |
Frappé | Chtypiménos Pronunciation |
Filter coffee | Kafés fíltrou Pronunciation |
Espresso | Espréso Pronunciation |
Cappuccino | Kapoutsíno Pronunciation |
How To Order Coffee in Somali (Kafeega)
Fun fact:
Somali is one of the official languages spoken in Ethiopia, the birthplace of coffee. Today, coffee is a vital part of Ethiopian culture. It is the country’s main export and provides a livelihood for millions of farmers and their families.
Therefore:
It is not surprising that a lot of coffee drinkers consider Ethiopia to have the best coffee beans in Africa.
Coffee and Ethiopia are deeply intertwined, and the drink holds a special place in the country’s cultural and economic history.
So:
If you’re planning to visit Ethiopia or a Somali-speaking nation, here are some coffee-ordering phrases to bolster your experience.
English | Somali |
---|---|
I want a cup of coffee. | Waxaan rabaa koob kafee ah. Pronunciation |
Can I have a cup of black coffee? | Ma heli karaa koob kafee madow ah? Pronunciation |
I want coffee with milk. | Waxaan rabaa qaxwo caano leh. Pronunciation |
I want coffee with sugar. | Waxaan rabaa qaxwo sonkor leh. Pronunciation |
Can I have more coffee? | Kafee badan ma heli karaa? Pronunciation |
Coffee to go | fee si aad u tagto Pronunciation |
May I see the menu, please? | Ma arki karaa liiska, fadlan? Pronunciation |
Note:
Ethiopia is known for producing a wide range of coffee variants with eccentric flavor profiles.
Here are some of the most common coffee types found in Ethiopia:
- Yirgacheffe: A light-bodied coffee with a floral and citrus flavor, grown in the Yirgacheffe region of southern Ethiopia.
- Harrar: A medium-bodied coffee with a fruity and wine-like flavor, grown in the Harrar region of eastern Ethiopia.
- Sidamo: A medium-bodied coffee with a chocolate and fruit flavor, grown in the Sidamo region of southern Ethiopia.
- Limu: A medium-bodied coffee with a chocolate and spice flavor, grown in the Limu region of southwestern Ethiopia.
- Djimmah: A medium-bodied coffee with a chocolate and nut flavor, grown in the Jimma region of southwestern Ethiopia.
These coffee types are often blended to create dynamic flavor profiles. Moreover, they are highly valued by coffee connoisseurs for their distinctive taste and quality.
Conclusion
Let’s take a recap:
Millions of people worldwide enjoy coffee, regardless of language and culture.
Think about it:
The barrier only surfaces when you don’t understand a language and can’t communicate with foreign baristas to get a refreshing coffee drink.
But with this article, I’m pretty sure you can waltz into most cafés, confident to order your desired coffee.
As a reminder:
How do you order coffee in different languages?
- In French, you say; Je voudrais un café.
- In Spanish, you say; Quisiera una taza de café, por favor.
- In Japanese, you say; Kōhī o kudasai.
- In Italian, you say; Un caffè per favore.
- In Korean, you say; keopi hanjan haedo doelkkayo?
See? It’s that easy!
You can also explore other common phrases in this article. In addition, remember to pick up a pastry to enjoy with your delicious cup of coffee!
Finally, if this article was helpful, do leave a comment below. If you have any questions, you can contact our certified baristas, who will be more than glad to provide answers.
The word “coffee” permeated the English language in 1582 through the Dutch word “koffie,” borrowed from the Ottoman Turkish “kahve.” Interestingly, it was also borrowed from the Arabic word “qahwa.”
The French and Italians say “Tasse de café” and “Tazza di caffè,” respectively. Spanish speakers say, “Taza de cafe.” While Germans and Japanese say, “Tasse Kaffee” and “Ippai no kōhī.”
The Ethiopian plateau is believed to be the origin of coffee. A goat herder, Kaldi, discovered that some of his goats had a burst of energy after eating the berries that had fallen from a tree. Upon tasting them himself, he realized he could stay awake for quite a long period.
The Arabs are believed to have been the first to roast and brew coffee. After discovering the first coffee species, Coffea arabica, they were also the first to cultivate coffee plants.