If you’re learning Spanish or planning a trip, one of the first and most useful words you’ll want to know is how to ask for a coffee. So, how do you say coffee in spanish? The direct translation is simple: “café.” This word is your essential key to ordering in any Spanish-speaking country, from Spain to Argentina.
But the world of Spanish coffee is much richer than a single word. Ordering just “café” might get you a default cup, but to get exactly what you want, you’ll need to know the local variations. The options can change from city to city, and knowing the difference can make your experience much better.
This guide will give you all the phrases and terms you need. We’ll cover the basic vocabulary, regional specialties, and even how to place your order with confidence. You’ll be able to navigate any Spanish-speaking cafe menu like a local by the time your finished reading.
How Do You Say Coffee In Spanish
The fundamental word is café. It’s pronounced “kah-FEH,” with the stress on the last syllable. This word means both the drink “coffee” and the place “café.” You’ll use it constantly.
Here are the most common ways to ask for coffee:
- Un café, por favor. (A coffee, please.)
- Quisiera un café. (I would like a coffee.)
- Me pone un café, por favor. (A common way to say “Can you give me a coffee, please?”)
- ¿Tienen café? (Do you have coffee?)
Remember, politeness is key. Always try to include “por favor” (please) and “gracias” (thank you). It’s a small effort that is greatly appreciated.
The Core Spanish Coffee Menu
Once you know the basic word, you need to know the types. Here is a list of the standard coffee drinks you’ll find across the Spanish-speaking world.
- Café solo: This is a straight espresso shot. It’s small, strong, and the base for many other drinks. Perfect for a quick, potent caffeine boost.
- Café con leche: Literally “coffee with milk.” This is typically half espresso and half steamed milk, served in a larger cup. It’s similar to a latte but often with a different milk-to-coffee ratio.
- Cortado: An espresso “cut” (cortado) with a small amount of warm milk to reduce the acidity. It’s stronger than a café con leche but smoother than a solo.
- Americano: An espresso shot diluted with hot water, similar to filter coffee. It’s name comes from the American style of coffee.
- Carajillo: This is an espresso spiked with a hard spirit, usually brandy, rum, or whisky. It’s a popular pick-me-up, especially in Spain.
Understanding Size and Strength
You can often modify your order by size or strength. Here’s how:
- Grande / Pequeño: For large or small. “Un café con leche grande, por favor.”
- Solo / Doble: For a single or double shot of espresso. “Un café solo doble.”
- Poco / Mucho: To specify a little or a lot of something. “Un cortado con poca leche” (a cortado with little milk).
Regional Variations You Must Know
The fun really begins when you look at regional differences. What you call your coffee in Madrid might get you a confused look in Bogotá.
Coffee in Spain
Spain has a very specific cafe culture, often centered around the bar. Here are some unique terms:
- Café bombón: Popular in Valencia, this is an espresso served with sweetened condensed milk, creating layers.
- Café con hielo: Coffee with ice. You often get a café solo and a separate glass of ice to pour it over yourself.
- Manchado: Meaning “stained,” this is mostly milk “stained” with a drop of coffee. It’s the opposite of a cortado.
- Descafeinado: Decaffeinated coffee. You can ask for any drink “descafeinado.”
Coffee in Mexico
Mexican coffee often incorporates local flavors and spices.
- Café de olla: A traditional brew made with cinnamon and piloncillo (unrefined cane sugar), cooked in an earthenware pot.
- Café americano is widely understood, but you might also just hear “café de filtro.”
Coffee in Argentina and Uruguay
Here, the Italian influence is very strong due to immigration.
- Café chico / Café chiquito: A small espresso.
- Lágrima: Meaning “tear,” this is a cup of steamed milk with just a “tear” or drop of coffee. It’s even more milk than a manchado.
- They also use the word cortado frequently.
Caribbean and Colombian Coffee Terms
In countries like Colombia, a major coffee producer, the drinks can be simpler but the beans are excellent.
- Tinto: This is the everyday term for a small, black coffee. It’s not wine, despite the name! It’s the default in Colombia.
- Perico: In Colombia, this is coffee with milk. In Venezuela, it might refer to coffee with milk and sugar.
- Café con leche is still universally understood.
How to Order Coffee in Spanish: A Step-by-Step Guide
Let’s put it all together. Here’s how a typical interaction might go at a Spanish cafe.
Step 1: Get the Waiter’s Attention
A simple “por favor” with eye contact or a slight wave is fine. In many places, you order and pay at the bar first.
Step 2: State Your Order Clearly
Use the phrases we’ve learned. Be specific. For example: “Buenos días. Quisiera un cortado y un café con leche grande, por favor.”
Step 3: Specify Add-Ins
Do you want sugar, milk on the side, or something else?
- ¿Me lo pone con azúcar? (Can you put sugar in it for me?)
- Azúcar al lado, por favor. (Sugar on the side, please.)
- Leche fría / caliente. (Cold / hot milk.)
Step 4: Confirm and Pay
The server might repeat your order. Listen for the total: “Son 5 euros, por favor.” Then you pay. “Aquí tiene” (Here you are) is common when handing over money.
Step 5> Find Your Spot
In some cafes, table service costs more. If you order at the bar, you can often drink there for a lower price. “Para tomar aquí” (to drink here) or “para llevar” (to take away) are useful phrases.
Essential Coffee-Related Vocabulary
To deepen your knowledge, here’s a list of related words.
- La leche: Milk
- El azúcar: Sugar
- La taza: Cup
- La cafetera: Coffee maker
- Los granos de café: Coffee beans
- Molido: Ground (coffee)
- Amargo / Dulce: Bitter / Sweet
- Caliente / Frío: Hot / Cold
- La cuenta: The bill
Common Mistakes to Avoid
When learning, it’s easy to make a small error. Here are a few to watch out for.
- Pronunciation: Saying “CAY-fay” instead of “kah-FEH.” The accent matters.
- Assuming uniformity: Remember that “tinto” means black coffee in Colombia, not wine. Context is everything.
- Forgetting gender: “Café” is masculine. So it’s “un café,” “el café,” “buen café.”
- Overcomplicating: Start simple. “Un café, por favor” will always work. You can learn the fancy terms later.
The Cultural Side of Spanish Coffee
Coffee in Spanish-speaking countries is more than a drink; it’s a social ritual. It’s about meeting friends for a “cafecito,” having a quick break at the bar, or ending a meal. People rarely get large to-go cups. Instead, they take a few minutes to enjoy a small cup standing at the bar or sitting at a table.
The pace is different. Coffee is an excuse for conversation or a moment of pause. Embracing this slower, more social approach is part of the full experience. Don’t be in a rush when you order your café.
Practice Your Ordering Skills
Try to read these sample dialogues out loud to get comfortable.
Dialogue 1 (Spain):
Cliente: Hola. Un café solo y un cortado, por favor.
Camarero: ¿Algo más?
Cliente: No, eso es todo. ¿Cuánto es?
Camarero: Son 3,50.
Dialogue 2 (Colombia):
Cliente: Buenas. Un tinto, por favor.
Vendedor: ¿Uno solo?
Cliente: Sí, gracias.
Vendedor: A mil pesos.
Practice makes perfect. The more you say the words, the easier it will become when your actually in the situation.
FAQ: How Do You Say Coffee in Spanish
Is ‘café’ the only word for coffee in Spanish?
Yes, “café” is the universal word for the drink and the bean. However, in specific countries, you have local terms like “tinto” in Colombia for a black coffee.
How do you ask for a black coffee?
You can say “café solo” (espresso) or “café americano” (diluted espresso). In many places, just “un café” will get you a black coffee, but it’s best to specify to avoid getting one with milk added by default.
How do you order a latte in Spanish?
The closest common equivalent is “café con leche.” You can specify “leche caliente” (hot milk) if needed. In some modern cafes, you might see “latte” on the menu, but the traditional term is café con leche.
What is ‘café con leche’ vs ‘cortado’?
A café con leche has a lot of milk, similar to a latte. A cortado has just a small splash of milk to “cut” the espresso’s strength. The cortado is a much smaller, stronger drink.
How do you say “decaf coffee”?
You say “café descafeinado” or just “descafeinado.” For example, “Un café con leche descafeinado, por favor.”
How do you ask for sugar with your coffee?
You can say “con azúcar, por favor” (with sugar, please) or ask for it on the side: “El azúcar al lado, por favor.”
Is coffee culture different in Latin America vs Spain?
Yes, there are differences. Spanish cafe culture is often centered on the bar, quick shots, and socializing. In many Latin American countries, especially producer nations, coffee is a daily staple with its own local traditions, like the café de olla in Mexico.
Now you have a complete guide to navigating the world of Spanish coffee. You know that the answer to ‘how do you say coffee in spanish’ is just the beginning. With these terms, phrases, and cultural tips, you can walk into any cafe from Barcelona to Buenos Aires and order with confidence. Start with “un café, por favor” and gradually try the local specialties. Each cup is not just a drink, but a taste of local life. So go ahead, practice your pronunciation, and get ready to enjoy your next café like a true local.