How can I say 'can I have ' in Spanish in the following situations:

Question

Asking my girlfriend who's sitting at the other end of the table: Can I have the cheese

In a bar: Can I have 2 beers

While sitting in a fancy restaurant: Can I have some orange juice

Puedo tener.... - masanchez, Nov 3, 2010

Answer 1

Can I have the cheese - ¿Podrías darme el queso? ¿Pusieras darme el queso? o ¿Puedes darme el queso? Can I have 2 beers (I would like) - Me gustaría dos cervezas o Quisiera dos cervezas. Can I have some orange juice (I would like) Me gustaría algún jugo de naranja. Don't use puedo tener, this is a common mistake

Answer 2

In Spain I would say:

Dos cervezas / cañas / Cruzcampos / Estrellas (por favor).

Póngame zumo de naranja.

The polite padding use in English isn't really carried across.

Answer 3

"Es posible" ("Is it possible?") gets me out of a lot of situations:

Es posible darme el queso? Is it possible to give me the cheese?

Tráigame dos cervezas. Bring me two beers. (Politeness is not really needed here.)

Es posible traerme zumo de naranja? Is it possible to bring me orange juice?