At the Café in Italy
Ordering in an Italian café is easy and fun! When you step up to the counter, you usually use polite phrases like Vorrei... (I would like...) or Un... per favore (A... please).
Key Rules
- Use un for masculine nouns (like caffè and cornetto) and un' or una for feminine ones (like acqua).
- Always be polite and say per favore (please) and grazie (thank you).
Examples
Vorrei un caffè, per favore. — I would like a coffee, please.
Un cornetto e un'acqua. — A croissant and a water.
Common Mistakes
Don't say "Io voglio" (I want), as it can sound too demanding in a café. Use Vorrei instead!
Words
un caffè
a coffee
Vorrei un caffè.I would like a coffee.
un cornetto
a croissant
Prendo un cornetto.I'll have a croissant.
un'acqua
a water
Un'acqua, per favore.A water, please.
un cappuccino
a cappuccino
Un cappuccino e un cornetto.A cappuccino and a croissant.
per favore
please
Un caffè, per favore.A coffee, please.
grazie
thank you
Ecco a Lei, grazie.Here you are, thank you.
vorrei
I would like
Vorrei un'acqua.I would like a water.
un tè
a tea
Vorrei un tè.I would like a tea.
Lessons are prepared with the help of AI.
Patterns
Vorrei ___, per favore.
Use this to politely ask for something you would like.
Vorrei un caffè, per favore.I would like a coffee, please.
Un ___ e un ___.
Use this to order two items together.
Un caffè e un cornetto.A coffee and a croissant.
Prendo ___.
Use this casual phrase to say what you are having.
Prendo un cappuccino.I'll take a cappuccino.