Polite and proper way to ask to speak spanish when placing a food order
Hello,
It's my first question/post on this site - very happy to be here.
I've ordered in Spanish at restaurants before and it's always been something that's understood, but I know it could be much better. I usually propose a "en español esta bien?"
It gets me by, but I'd like to improve.
In doing my own research, it seems like something along the lines of "Quisiera ordenar en español, por favor. ¿Estaría bien?" might be an improvement, but my fear is that I'm doing something that a lot of newbies in a language do - compose phrases in their new language in a format that works in their native tongue.
Perhaps one (or more) of you could guide me to better fluency?
Much appreciated,
Ian
4 Answers
You just do what you feel comfortable with. Be polite, use the "usted" forms, and don't expect the wait staff to correct your Spanish - their priority is to make sure you are enjoying your food. I use these occasions to practice and establish a relationship so maybe they will remember me when I return. Phrases like: Estoy estudiando español y necesito practicar. No entiendo bien cuando la gente habla muy rápido. Gracias por su ayuda. Me gusta mucho la comida aquí, es muy rica.
One final thing: It's more polite to ask someone "¿Me explico?" for "Do you understand me?"
Ordering Food in Spanish
Ordering food in a Spanish-speaking country is as easy as remembering a few set phrases, understanding the menu and remembering to be courteous to your server. Use these hints below to get through any dining situation
Step 1
Ask for a table in Spanish. If you'd like a table for two, say "Una mesa para dos, por favor." You can also phrase it as a question: "¿Una mesa para dos?" Substitute an appropriate number (uno, dos, tres, quatro, cinco) for the number of diners. When you are seated, remember to say "muchas gracias."
Ask for a table in Spanish. If you'd like a table for two, say "Una mesa para dos, por favor." You can also phrase it as a question: "¿Una mesa para dos?" Substitute an appropriate number (uno, dos, tres, quatro, cinco) for the number of diners. When you are seated, remember to say "muchas gracias."
Step 2
Order your beverages. Your server may ask something like "¿Qué van a tomar?" Respond with "un vaso de" for a glass of something ("agua" for water, "leche" for milk), "un café" for coffee, "una cerveza" for beer, and "una botella de" for a bottle of something, such as "una botella de vino blanco de la casa" (a bottle of the house white wine). Add pleasantries such as "quisiera" (I would like) or "me gustaría" (I would like), and don't forget to say "por favor."
Order your beverages. Your server may ask something like "¿Qué van a tomar?" Respond with "un vaso de" for a glass of something ("agua" for water, "leche" for milk), "un café" for coffee, "una cerveza" for beer, and "una botella de" for a bottle of something, such as "una botella de vino blanco de la casa" (a bottle of the house white wine). Add pleasantries such as "quisiera" (I would like) or "me gustaría" (I would like), and don't forget to say "por favor."
step 3
Peruse the menu (el menú). Though there will likely be many familiar dishes, regional cooking varies all over the Spanish-speaking world, and individual locales may have different words for dishes than the terms you're accustomed to, according to Drlemon.net. Consult your phrasebook or pocket translator if there are items with which you are unfamiliar. If you are a vegetarian or vegan, make sure to tell your server so he can accommodate you best: "Soy vegetariano/a (estricto/a)" ("I'm a vegetarian (vegan)"
Peruse the menu (el menú). Though there will likely be many familiar dishes, regional cooking varies all over the Spanish-speaking world, and individual locales may have different words for dishes than the terms you're accustomed to, according to Drlemon.net. Consult your phrasebook or pocket translator if there are items with which you are unfamiliar. If you are a vegetarian or vegan, make sure to tell your server so he can accommodate you best: "Soy vegetariano/a (estricto/a)" ("I'm a vegetarian (vegan)"
Step 4
Order your food. Your server may approach and ask something like "¿Qué desean Ustedes?" You could say "Quisiera" followed by your order or "¿Me trae?" followed by your order and "por favor" (if ordering for the table, say "¿nos trae?"). For a half portion, ask for "media porción"; use the prepositions "con" and "sin" to specify "with" and "without" something, respectively, such as: "Todo mio orden sin queso, por favor" ("I would like my whole order without cheese, please").
Order your food. Your server may approach and ask something like "¿Qué desean Ustedes?" You could say "Quisiera" followed by your order or "¿Me trae?" followed by your order and "por favor" (if ordering for the table, say "¿nos trae?"). For a half portion, ask for "media porción"; use the prepositions "con" and "sin" to specify "with" and "without" something, respectively, such as: "Todo mio orden sin queso, por favor" ("I would like my whole order without cheese, please").
Step 5
Get your server's attention. In Mexico, if getting a male waiter's attention, say "joven" and say "señorita" for a waitress. In Spain, a waiter is "camarero" while "señorita" is appropriate anywhere. Words for male servers vary around the Spanish-speaking world, so try to pick up on the word others around you are using.
Get your server's attention. In Mexico, if getting a male waiter's attention, say "joven" and say "señorita" for a waitress. In Spain, a waiter is "camarero" while "señorita" is appropriate anywhere. Words for male servers vary around the Spanish-speaking world, so try to pick up on the word others around you are using.
Step 6
Finish up your meal. Your server may ask "¿Desean algo de postre?" which means "Would you like dessert?" If you would, order. If you do not want dessert, say: "No, gracias, ¿nos trae la cuenta, por favor?" ("No thank you, could we just have the check, please?)
Finish up your meal. Your server may ask "¿Desean algo de postre?" which means "Would you like dessert?" If you would, order. If you do not want dessert, say: "No, gracias, ¿nos trae la cuenta, por favor?" ("No thank you, could we just have the check, please?)
Because you pay for service in a restaurant you should not have to ask if it is OK to speak another language. In your case, I would say something like: Voy a pedir / ordenar en español ... (then your order). You could also add: .... a ver si no fallo (then your order).
Welcome to the forum.
Ron-Damon, I have been in that exact situation. We have a Latin American restaurant in which almost all, if not all, of the staff are Latino with Spanish as their first language. They all speak English fluently, and most (maybe 75%?) of the customers are American English speakers. So quite naturally, the staff speaks English to the customers.
I saw it as a perfect opportunity to practice. So when the waitress came up and spoke English, I said, "Estoy tratando aprender español. Asique ¿podriamos hablar en español, sí no es molestia?" Since then, I have spoken Spanish every time I go, usually once each week.
