Ordering at a café in Korean
Ordering at a café
Try it freePractice this Korean dialogueShadow each line, then continue with the related scenario practice.Open →Explanation
A reliable café order follows a simple pattern: drink name + quantity + 주세요. 아이스 아메리카노 한 잔 주세요 means “One iced Americano, please.” 한 잔 is the counter phrase for one cup or glass, so it sounds more complete than naming the drink alone.
Options normally come before the request ending. 큰 사이즈로 주세요 asks for the large size, 시럽은 빼 주세요 asks staff to leave out the syrup, and 덜 달게 해 주세요 asks for the drink to be made less sweet. Keep the request ending on the final verb instead of attaching 요 to every individual word.
Staff may ask 드시고 가세요, 아니면 가져가세요?—whether you will have it there or take it away. Answer 여기서 마실게요 for “I’ll drink it here,” or 포장해 주세요 for “Please make it to go.” The future-intention ending -(으)ㄹ게요 is common when choosing what you will do.
At payment, 카드로 할게요 means “I’ll pay by card,” while 현금으로 할게요 means cash. A full order does not need to be fast. Say the drink first, pause if needed, then add size, options, quantity, and 주세요.
Examples
아이스 아메리카노 한 잔 주세요.
One iced Americano, please.
한 잔 is the counter phrase for one cup or glass.
시럽은 빼 주세요.
Please leave out the syrup.
은 marks syrup as the option being excluded.
덜 달게 해 주세요.
Please make it less sweet.
포장해 주세요.
Please make it to go.
카드로 할게요.
I’ll pay by card.
Mini dialogue
직원: 주문 도와드릴까요?
Staff: May I take your order?
손님: 아이스 아메리카노 한 잔 주세요.
Customer: One iced Americano, please.
직원: 사이즈는 어떻게 하시겠어요?
Staff: What size would you like?
손님: 큰 사이즈로 주세요. 시럽은 빼 주세요.
Customer: The large size, please. Please leave out the syrup.
직원: 드시고 가세요, 아니면 가져가세요?
Staff: Are you having it here or taking it away?
손님: 여기서 마실게요.
Customer: I’ll drink it here.
직원: 결제 도와드릴게요.
Staff: I’ll help you with payment.
손님: 카드로 할게요.
Customer: I’ll pay by card.
Key lines
- 한 잔 주세요: One cup, please
- 큰 사이즈로 주세요: The large size, please
- 시럽은 빼 주세요: Please leave out the syrup
- 덜 달게 해 주세요: Please make it less sweet
- 포장해 주세요: Please make it to go
- 카드로 할게요: I’ll pay by card
Common mistakes
- Do not attach 요 to each noun in the order. Finish the request with 주세요: 아메리카노 한 잔 주세요.
- Do not translate “one coffee” without a counter when you want a complete order. 한 잔 is the natural counter phrase for one drink.
- 여기요 can call someone’s attention, but it is not the order itself. Give the actual item and finish with 주세요.
How to practice
- Build the order in blocks: item → size or option → quantity → 주세요.
- Practise both staff questions and customer answers so you can recognize 드시고 가세요? at normal speed.
- Replace only one slot at a time—drink, size, temperature, or option—until the sentence remains automatic.
- Use 존댓말 with staff. 주세요 and -(으)ㄹ게요 are natural defaults for this interaction.
Check yourself
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence naturally orders one iced Americano?
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