English at a Coffee Shop
Order your coffee in English with confidence. Easy phrases for the cafe, learned through a friendly conversation.
The lesson
Ordering your drink
Ordering coffee is quick and friendly. Use: Can I get a latte, please? or I'll have a cappuccino. The barista may ask the size: small, medium or large. In many cafes you will also hear American sizes like tall, grande and venti.
For here or to go
A key question is whether you stay or leave. The barista asks: For here or to go? Answer: To go, please. (you take it with you) or For here, please. (you stay). In British English you may hear: Eat in or takeaway?
Milk and extras
You can customize your drink: with oat milk, with no sugar, extra hot, decaf. Example: A medium latte with oat milk, please. To add food: Could I also get a muffin?
Paying and tipping
At the till you can ask: Can I pay by card? The barista may say: That's four dollars. In the US there is often a tip jar or a tip option on the card machine, but a tip at a cafe is optional.
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Key vocabulary
to go
/tə ɡəʊ/to take your drink away with you
“A coffee to go, please.”
Traduction
à emporter
for here
/fɔːr hɪər/to drink it in the cafe
“For here, please.”
Traduction
sur place
latte
/ˈlɑːteɪ/coffee with a lot of steamed milk
“I'll have a latte.”
Traduction
un latte
barista
/bəˈriːstə/the person who makes the coffee
“The barista was very fast.”
Traduction
le/la barista
decaf
/ˈdiːkæf/coffee with no caffeine
“A decaf coffee, please.”
Traduction
décaféiné
refill
/ˈriːfɪl/more of a drink, often free
“Can I get a refill?”
Traduction
un rechargement (de boisson)
tip
/tɪp/extra money you leave to say thank you
“I left a small tip.”
Traduction
un pourboire
Test yourself
1. "To go" means:
2. Who makes your coffee?
3. Polite way to order:
4. "Decaf" coffee has:
5. The barista asks "For here or to go?" to know if you: