A1French

Ordering Coffee at a Café

Use these phrases to order a coffee, choose how to have it, and pay at a French café.

Key Phrases

Voice
Ordering · 2 ways to say it

Bonjour. Je prends un café, s'il vous plaît.

polite

Hello. I'll have a coffee, please.

A very polite way to order using the present tense of the verb 'prendre' (to take).

Un café, s'il vous plaît.

neutral

A coffee, please.

Direct and very common, especially when the café is busy.

Staff asking preference

Sur place ou à emporter ?

neutral

For here or to go?

You will hear this question from staff in almost every café.

Answering preference

À emporter, s'il vous plaît.

neutral

To go, please.

Asking the price · 2 ways to say it

Ça fait combien, s'il vous plaît ?

polite

How much does that come to, please?

Uses the verb 'faire' (to do/make) to ask for the total politely.

C'est combien ?

neutral

How much is it?

The standard, everyday way to ask the price in a service interaction.

Paying · 2 ways to say it

Je paie par carte.

polite

I am paying by card.

Par carte.

neutral

By card.

A short and completely acceptable way to specify your payment method.

Saying goodbye · 2 ways to say it

Merci, bonne journée.

polite

Thank you, have a good day.

A warm and polite way to leave the café.

Au revoir.

neutral

Goodbye.

Practice Dialogue

Customer
Bonjour. Un grand café, s'il vous plaît.
Staff
Bonjour. Sur place ou à emporter ?
Customer
À emporter. C'est combien ?
Staff
Ça fait quatre euros.
Customer
Par carte, s'il vous plaît.
Staff
D'accord. Voici votre café.
Customer
Merci, bonne journée.
Staff
Merci, au revoir.

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