Understanding interactions in specific settings like a cafe is key to fluency. This guide focuses on the Korean phrases a barista might use when recommending a latte, particularly suited for a chilly morning, helping you navigate Korean cafes with ease.
Table Of Content
Core Recommendation Phrase
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Expression: 따뜻한 라떼 어떠세요?
Pronunciation: tta-tteu-tan la-tte eo-tteo-se-yo?
Meaning: How about a warm latte? (A polite suggestion)
Greeting and Initial Questions
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Expression: 어서 오세요.
Pronunciation: eo-seo o-se-yo.
Meaning: Welcome. -
Expression: 주문하시겠어요?
Pronunciation: ju-mun-ha-si-ge-sseo-yo?
Meaning: Would you like to order? -
Expression: 무엇을 드릴까요?
Pronunciation: mu-eo-seul deu-ril-kka-yo?
Meaning: What can I get for you? -
Expression: 오늘 날씨가 꽤 쌀쌀하네요.
Pronunciation: o-neul nal-ssi-ga kkwae ssal-ssal-ha-ne-yo.
Meaning: The weather is quite chilly today. -
Expression: 따뜻한 음료 찾으세요?
Pronunciation: tta-tteu-tan eum-nyo cha-jeu-se-yo?
Meaning: Are you looking for a warm drink? -
Expression: 메뉴 여기 있습니다.
Pronunciation: me-nyu yeo-gi it-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: Here is the menu. -
Expression: 천천히 고르세요.
Pronunciation: cheon-cheon-hi go-reu-se-yo.
Meaning: Take your time choosing. -
Expression: 주문 도와드릴까요?
Pronunciation: ju-mun do-wa-deu-ril-kka-yo?
Meaning: Shall I help you with your order? -
Expression: 혹시 생각하신 메뉴 있으세요?
Pronunciation: hok-si saeng-gak-ha-sin me-nyu i-sseu-se-yo?
Meaning: Do you perhaps have a menu item in mind?
Recommending the Latte for a Chilly Day
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Expression: 오늘 같은 쌀쌀한 아침에는 따뜻한 라떼가 좋습니다.
Pronunciation: o-neul ga-teun ssal-ssal-han a-chi-me-neun tta-tteu-tan la-tte-ga jot-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: A warm latte is good for a chilly morning like today. -
Expression: 부드러운 우유 거품이 있는 따뜻한 라떼 추천해 드려요.
Pronunciation: bu-deu-reo-un u-yu geo-pu-mi it-neun tta-tteu-tan la-tte chu-cheon-hae deu-ryeo-yo.
Meaning: I recommend a warm latte with smooth milk foam. -
Expression: 저희 카페 라떼가 인기가 많아요.
Pronunciation: jeo-hui ka-pe la-tte-ga in-gi-ga ma-na-yo.
Meaning: Our cafe latte is very popular. -
Expression: 몸을 녹이는 데는 라떼만 한 게 없죠.
Pronunciation: mo-meul no-gi-neun de-neun la-tte-man han ge eop-jyo.
Meaning: There’s nothing quite like a latte to warm you up. -
Expression: 따뜻한 라떼 한 잔으로 아침을 시작해 보세요.
Pronunciation: tta-tteu-tan la-tte han ja-neu-ro a-chi-meul si-jak-hae bo-se-yo.
Meaning: Try starting your morning with a cup of warm latte. -
Expression: 고소한 맛의 라떼입니다.
Pronunciation: go-so-han ma-sui la-tte-im-ni-da.
Meaning: It’s a nutty-flavored latte. (Often used to describe the savory taste of coffee/milk) -
Expression: 추운 날씨에 딱 맞는 음료예요.
Pronunciation: chu-un nal-ssi-e ttak mat-neun eum-nyo-ye-yo.
Meaning: It’s the perfect drink for cold weather. -
Expression: 샷 추가도 가능합니다.
Pronunciation: syat chu-ga-do ga-neung-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: Adding an extra shot is also possible. -
Expression: 시럽 추가 원하시면 말씀해주세요.
Pronunciation: si-reop chu-ga won-ha-si-myeon mal-sseum-hae-ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please let me know if you’d like to add syrup. -
Expression: 디카페인으로도 변경 가능합니다.
Pronunciation: di-ka-pe-i-neu-ro-do byeon-gyeong ga-neung-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: Changing to decaf is also possible.
Confirming the Order and Payment
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Expression: 따뜻한 라떼 한 잔으로 하시겠어요?
Pronunciation: tta-tteu-tan la-tte han ja-neu-ro ha-si-ge-sseo-yo?
Meaning: Would you like one warm latte then? -
Expression: 사이즈는 어떻게 해드릴까요?
Pronunciation: sa-i-jeu-neun eo-tteo-ke hae-deu-ril-kka-yo?
Meaning: What size would you like? -
Expression: 매장에서 드시나요, 가지고 가시나요?
Pronunciation: mae-jang-e-seo deu-si-na-yo, ga-ji-go ga-si-na-yo?
Meaning: For here or to go? -
Expression: 총 [금액]원입니다.
Pronunciation: chong [geu-maek]-wo-nim-ni-da.
Meaning: The total is [Amount] won. -
Expression: 결제는 어떻게 하시겠어요?
Pronunciation: gyeol-je-neun eo-tteo-ke ha-si-ge-sseo-yo?
Meaning: How would you like to pay? -
Expression: 카드 여기 꽂아주세요.
Pronunciation: ka-deu yeo-gi kko-ja-ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please insert your card here. -
Expression: 현금영수증 필요하세요?
Pronunciation: hyeon-geum-yeong-su-jeung pi-ryo-ha-se-yo?
Meaning: Do you need a cash receipt? -
Expression: 진동벨 드릴게요. 울리면 찾아가세요.
Pronunciation: jin-dong-bel deu-ril-kke-yo. ul-li-myeon cha-ja-ga-se-yo.
Meaning: I’ll give you a pager. Please come pick it up when it buzzes. -
Expression: 음료 준비되면 불러드릴게요.
Pronunciation: eum-nyo jun-bi-doe-myeon bul-leo-deu-ril-kke-yo.
Meaning: I’ll call you when your drink is ready. -
Expression: 주문하신 따뜻한 라떼 나왔습니다.
Pronunciation: ju-mun-ha-sin tta-tteu-tan la-tte na-wat-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: Your warm latte order is ready. -
Expression: 맛있게 드세요.
Pronunciation: ma-sit-kke deu-se-yo.
Meaning: Enjoy your drink.
Korean Culture Notes
Cafe Culture: Cafes are incredibly popular in Korea, serving not just as places to get coffee but also as study spots, meeting points, and places to relax. Expect a wide variety of drinks beyond standard coffee.
Politeness Levels: Baristas will typically use formal language (존댓말 – jon-daen-mal) like the phrases listed here (-세요, -ㅂ니다/습니다 endings). As a customer, using similar polite endings is recommended.
“Americano” Preference: While lattes are popular, iced Americanos (아이스 아메리카노 – a-i-seu a-me-ri-ka-no, often shortened to 아아 – a-a) are arguably the most consumed coffee drink, even in winter!
Customization: Customizing drinks (syrup, shots, milk alternatives like oat or soy milk) is common and generally well-understood in most Korean cafes, especially larger chains.
Pagers (진동벨): The vibrating pager system (진동벨 – jin-dong-bel) is standard practice in many Korean cafes for notifying customers when their order is ready.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: A customer enters a cafe on a cold morning, unsure of what to order. The barista recommends a warm latte.
Roles: A = Barista, B = Customer
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Expression: A: 어서 오세요. 주문하시겠어요?
Pronunciation: A: eo-seo o-se-yo. ju-mun-ha-si-ge-sseo-yo?
Meaning: A: Welcome. Would you like to order? -
Expression: B: 네, 음… 뭘 마실지 고민되네요. 오늘 좀 춥네요.
Pronunciation: B: ne, eum… mwol ma-sil-ji go-min-doe-ne-yo. o-neul jom chum-ne-yo.
Meaning: B: Yes, um… I’m wondering what to drink. It’s a bit cold today. -
Expression: A: 네, 오늘 아침 공기가 차갑죠. 혹시 따뜻한 음료 찾으세요?
Pronunciation: A: ne, o-neul a-chim gong-gi-ga cha-gap-jyo. hok-si tta-tteu-tan eum-nyo cha-jeu-se-yo?
Meaning: A: Yes, the air is chilly this morning. Are you perhaps looking for a warm drink? -
Expression: B: 네, 따뜻한 거 마시고 싶어요.
Pronunciation: B: ne, tta-tteu-tan geo ma-si-go si-peo-yo.
Meaning: B: Yes, I’d like to drink something warm. -
Expression: A: 그럼 오늘 같은 쌀쌀한 날에는 저희 카페의 따뜻한 라떼 어떠세요? 부드럽고 고소해서 몸 녹이기에 좋아요.
Pronunciation: A: geu-reom o-neul ga-teun ssal-ssal-han na-re-neun jeo-hui ka-pe-ui tta-tteu-tan la-tte eo-tteo-se-yo? bu-deu-reop-go go-so-hae-seo mom no-gi-gi-e jo-a-yo.
Meaning: A: Then how about our cafe’s warm latte on a chilly day like today? It’s smooth and nutty (savory), great for warming up. -
Expression: B: 오, 라떼 좋죠. 그럼 따뜻한 라떼 한 잔 주세요.
Pronunciation: B: o, la-tte jo-jyo. geu-reom tta-tteu-tan la-tte han jan ju-se-yo.
Meaning: B: Oh, a latte sounds good. Then please give me one warm latte. -
Expression: A: 네. 사이즈는 어떻게 해드릴까요?
Pronunciation: A: ne. sa-i-jeu-neun eo-tteo-ke hae-deu-ril-kka-yo?
Meaning: A: Okay. What size would you like? -
Expression: B: 중간 사이즈로 주세요. 매장에서 마실 거예요.
Pronunciation: B: jung-gan sa-i-jeu-ro ju-se-yo. mae-jang-e-seo ma-sil geo-ye-yo.
Meaning: B: Medium size, please. I’ll drink it here. -
Expression: A: 네, 따뜻한 라떼 중간 사이즈, 매장에서 드시는 걸로 준비해 드리겠습니다. 총 5,000원입니다.
Pronunciation: A: ne, tta-tteu-tan la-tte jung-gan sa-i-jeu, mae-jang-e-seo deu-si-neun geol-lo jun-bi-hae deu-ri-get-seum-ni-da. chong o-cheon-wo-nim-ni-da.
Meaning: A: Okay, one medium warm latte, for here. The total is 5,000 won.
Practice Tips
Practice makes perfect~! Try role-playing this scenario with a friend or language partner. You can be the barista one time and the customer the next! Pay attention to the pronunciation, especially the syllable breaks and polite endings. Visiting a Korean cafe (if possible) and listening to the interactions is also fantastic practice. Don’t be afraid to try ordering in Korean – even simple phrases are a great start! 화이팅 (hwaiting – You can do it)!
