Best way to order at restaurant

Question

I know that you can of course say "quiero ..." but that seems to me the most impolite way to ask.

Now as I understand it in order to be more polite, I could use either the conditional "querria" or the subjuntivo imperfecto "quisiera", is that correct? And if yes, what is the difference, if any, between using "querria" and "quisiera."?

Thanks.

Answer 1

Good question. Welcome to the forum.

I say "Me gustaría pedir el pollo, por favor." (I'd like to order the chicken, please)

Answer 2

It is much more common these days to use the construction that Mariana has suggested.;'' Me gustaría...'' have used it many times in Spain and have not been corrected

''Me gustaría pedir....(etc)...'' ...= I would like to order

Quisiera pedir ..(etc)...'' ...= I would like to order

If you would like them to bring you something specfic you can also say:

''¿Podría(s) traerme .....el pollo asado con patatas fritas y ensalada, (por favor)?''

= Could you bring me the roast chicken with chips and salad, (please)?

I hope this helps

Answer 3

"¿Me pone (algo)?"

Answer 4

I am not sure why you would use the Imperfect Subjunctive or quisiera which is really a past tense subjunctive form equivalent to "I wanted", unless your sentence involved something that would trigger the subjunctive.

In many countries, quisiera is used in place of querría and the conditional form of querer is never used.

Thanks for the information, lorenzo! I learned something new. - NancyGrace, May 25, 2011

Answer 5

¡Flaco! ¡Ponme una cerveza bien helada!

Answer 6

Hola, Nico,

To answer the second part of your question, querría would translate as: I would like . . . (very polite). That would be fine to use, along with the conditional form Mariana used.

I am not sure why you would use the Imperfect Subjunctive or quisiera which is really a past tense subjunctive form equivalent to "I wanted", unless your sentence involved something that would trigger the subjunctive.