Day 5
Un café
A coffee. A simple coffee order turns into proof that everyone in Benimaclet already knows Marta.
Read the whole lesson
The conversation: Un café (A coffee)
A simple coffee order turns into proof that everyone in Benimaclet already knows Marta.
- Camarera
- Hola. ¿Qué te pongo?Hi. What can I get you?
- Marta
- Un café con leche, por favor. ¿Cuánto es?A coffee with milk, please. How much is it?
- Camarera
- Dos euros. Aquí tienes.Two euros. Here you are.
- Emilio
- Usted es la del piso de Fina.You’re the one from Fina’s flat.
- Marta
- Sí… ¿Nos conocemos?Yes… Do we know each other?
- Emilio
- No. Soy Emilio. Aquí nos conocemos todos.No. I’m Emilio. Everyone knows everyone here.
- Marta
- Entonces sí nos conocemos.Then we do know each other.
Notes
1. ¿Qué te pongo?
This is a common informal question from someone serving at a bar. Word for word, it is closer to “What do I put for you?”, so learn it as one complete service formula.
2. Ways to order coffee
The amount of milk changes the name:
- *Café solo* — no milk
- *Cortado* — a little milk
- *Café con leche* — more milk
3. Por favor
Put por favor after what you want: un café con leche, por favor; ask for another with otro café, por favor.
4. Usted es
Compare the two ways to address one person:
- *Tú eres* — informal
- *Usted es* — formal
*Usted* uses *es*, not *eres*.
5. ¿Nos conocemos?
Nos includes both people. ¿Nos conocemos? asks whether they know each other; later, sí nos conocemos uses the same words as a confirmation.
La barra del bar · The bar counter
La barra is the counter where drinks and food are served. Customers may order there or at a table, and payment may happen immediately or at the end.
For a small order, ¿Cuánto es? is enough. At a table, la cuenta, por favor is useful. Tips are optional rather than a required percentage.