French · A1 · Speaking · about 5 min
Order a coffee, ask the price, and request the bill with the short phrases you hear in a café.
‘Je voudrais’ politely means ‘I would like’. Add ‘s'il vous plaît’ when speaking to staff.
Say thisJe voudrais un café, s'il vous plaît.
MeaningI would like a coffee, please.
When to use itStart the conversation naturally.
Say thisÇa coûte combien ?
MeaningHow much does it cost?
When to use itAdd the detail the other person needs.
Say thisL'addition, s'il vous plaît.
MeaningThe bill, please.
When to use itFinish with a clear, polite line.
| Say this | Meaning | When to use it |
|---|---|---|
| Je voudrais un café, s'il vous plaît. | I would like a coffee, please. | Start the conversation naturally. |
| Ça coûte combien ? | How much does it cost? | Add the detail the other person needs. |
| L'addition, s'il vous plaît. | The bill, please. | Finish with a clear, polite line. |
SituationYou want a coffee without milk. What do you order?
Say thisUn café sans lait, s'il vous plaît.
Why‘Sans lait’ means without milk.
SituationYou need a table for two. Which request fits?
Say thisUne table pour deux, s'il vous plaît.
Why‘Une table pour deux’ is a table for two people.
SituationYou need to check whether the cake contains nuts. What do you ask?
Say thisEst-ce qu'il y a des fruits à coque ?
Why‘Est-ce qu'il y a des fruits à coque ?’ asks about tree nuts. Confirm ingredients with staff before eating.
SituationYou want the coffee to go. Which phrase fits?
Say thisÀ emporter, s'il vous plaît.
Why‘À emporter’ means to take away.
SituationYou want to pay by card. What do you ask?
Say thisJe peux payer par carte ?
Why‘Payer par carte’ means to pay by card.
| Situation | Say this | Why |
|---|---|---|
| You want a coffee without milk. What do you order? | Un café sans lait, s'il vous plaît. | ‘Sans lait’ means without milk. |
| You need a table for two. Which request fits? | Une table pour deux, s'il vous plaît. | ‘Une table pour deux’ is a table for two people. |
| You need to check whether the cake contains nuts. What do you ask? | Est-ce qu'il y a des fruits à coque ? | ‘Est-ce qu'il y a des fruits à coque ?’ asks about tree nuts. Confirm ingredients with staff before eating. |
| You want the coffee to go. Which phrase fits? | À emporter, s'il vous plaît. | ‘À emporter’ means to take away. |
| You want to pay by card. What do you ask? | Je peux payer par carte ? | ‘Payer par carte’ means to pay by card. |
Order a coffee, ask the price, and request the bill with the short phrases you hear in a café.
You want a coffee. How do you order politely?
You want a coffee without milk. What do you order?
Je voudrais un café, s'il vous plaît.
I would like a coffee, please.
Start the conversation naturally.
Ça coûte combien ?
How much does it cost?
Add the detail the other person needs.
L'addition, s'il vous plaît.
The bill, please.
Finish with a clear, polite line.