Cafes are a popular social spot in Korea, where people meet friends, work, or relax. Knowing how to order your favorite drinks correctly will make your experience smoother and more enjoyable. This lesson covers the vocabulary and expressions you need to choose and order drinks at Korean cafes, from coffee to teas and smoothies.
Essential Vocabulary for Cafe Drinks
- 커피 (keopi) – Coffee
- 아메리카노 (americano) – Americano
- 라떼 (latte) – Latte
- 카푸치노 (cappuccino) – Cappuccino
- 에스프레소 (espresso) – Espresso
- 녹차 (nokcha) – Green tea
- 홍차 (hongcha) – Black tea
- 스무디 (seumudi) – Smoothie
- 주문하다 (jumunhada) – To order
- 사이즈 (saijeu) – Size
- 작다 (jakda) – Small
- 중간 (junggan) – Medium
- 크다 (keuda) – Large
- 뜨겁다 (tteugeopda) – Hot
- 차갑다 (chagapda) – Cold
How to Order Drinks
To order a drink, say the name of the drink followed by “주세요” which means “please give me.” For example, “아메리카노 주세요” means “Please give me an Americano.”
You can also specify the size by adding “작은”, “중간”, or “큰” before the drink name, meaning small, medium, or large respectively. For hot or cold drinks, you can say “뜨거운” or “차가운” before the drink.
Common Phrases You’ll Hear
- 무엇을 드릴까요? – What would you like?
- 사이즈는 어떻게 하시겠어요? – What size would you like?
- 뜨거운 거 드릴까요, 차가운 거 드릴까요? – Would you like it hot or cold?
- 포장하시겠어요? – For here or to go?
- 계산은 여기서 하세요. – Please pay here.
Example Dialogues
A: 아메리카노 중간 사이즈 하나 주세요.
B: 네, 뜨거운 거 드릴까요, 차가운 거 드릴까요?
A: 차가운 거로 주세요.
B: 네, 잠시만 기다려 주세요.
A: 포장해 주세요.
B: 알겠습니다.
Cultural Tips
Korean cafes often offer a variety of seasonal drinks and limited-time specials. Don’t hesitate to ask the barista for recommendations or the most popular menu items by saying “추천해 주세요.”
When you receive your drink, it’s polite to say “감사합니다” to show appreciation. Also, many cafes use reusable cups and straws, so be mindful of environmental practices.
Practice Challenge
Try ordering your favorite drink in Korean, specifying size and temperature. Practice saying “아메리카노 중간 사이즈 차가운 거 주세요” or “라떼 큰 사이즈 뜨거운 거 주세요.”
Next Up
Next lesson will cover useful phrases and vocabulary for shopping situations, including bargaining and asking prices.
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