Dictionary / Can I get a coffee?
How to Say "Can I get a coffee?" in French
Je voudrais un café
/ʒə vudʁɛ œ̃ kafe/
Literally: I would like a coffee
Je
I
voudrais
would like
un café
a coffee
Formal and plural
Formal or pluralJe voudrais un café, s'il vous plaît
Un café means an espresso. If you want something longer, ask for un café allongé; with milk, un café crème (or un noisette for a small one). A bonjour before you order is not optional in France.
Correct
Je voudrais un café
What people say wrong
Je veux un café
I want a coffee, blunt to the point of rude
The mistake to avoid. Je veux is grammatically fine and socially cold. It's what a child says. The conditional je voudrais is what makes you sound like an adult ordering rather than demanding.
In context
Bonjour, je voudrais un café, s'il vous plaît.
Hello, I'd like a coffee, please.
Je prendrai un café crème.
I'll have a white coffee.
L'addition, s'il vous plaît.
The bill, please.