Understanding how to interact in specific situations, like ordering coffee on a particular kind of day, enhances your Korean language skills. This guide focuses on the phrases a barista might use to recommend a latte to a customer, especially on a foggy morning, covering greetings, recommendations, and order finalization.
Table Of Content
Core Recommendation Phrase
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Expression: 따뜻한 라떼 한 잔 어떠세요?
Pronunciation: tta-tteut-han la-tte han jan eo-tteo-se-yo?
Meaning: How about a warm latte? (A polite suggestion)
Greeting the Customer
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Expression: 어서 오세요.
Pronunciation: eo-seo o-se-yo.
Meaning: Welcome. / Come on in. -
Expression: 안녕하세요, 주문 도와드릴까요?
Pronunciation: ahn-nyeong-ha-se-yo, ju-mun do-wa-deu-ril-kka-yo?
Meaning: Hello, may I help you with your order? -
Expression: 좋은 아침입니다.
Pronunciation: jo-eun a-chim-im-ni-da.
Meaning: Good morning. (Formal) -
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: 안개가 많이 꼈네요.
Pronunciation: ahn-gae-ga ma-ni kkyeot-ne-yo.
Meaning: It’s very foggy. -
Expression: 따뜻한 음료 필요하시면 말씀해주세요.
Pronunciation: tta-tteut-han eum-ryo pi-ryo-ha-si-myeon mal-sseum-hae-ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please let me know if you need a warm drink. -
Expression: 무엇을 드릴까요?
Pronunciation: mu-eo-seul deu-ril-kka-yo?
Meaning: What can I get for you? -
Expression: 찾으시는 메뉴 있으신가요?
Pronunciation: cha-jeu-si-neun me-nyu i-sseu-sin-ga-yo?
Meaning: Is there a specific menu item you are looking for? -
Expression: 편하게 둘러보세요.
Pronunciation: pyeon-ha-ge dul-leo-bo-se-yo.
Meaning: Please feel free to look around. -
Expression: 오늘 기분은 어떠세요?
Pronunciation: o-neul gi-bun-eun eo-tteo-se-yo?
Meaning: How are you feeling today?
Describing the Weather and Atmosphere
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Expression: 오늘 아침은 안개가 자욱하네요.
Pronunciation: o-neul a-chim-eun ahn-gae-ga ja-uk-ha-ne-yo.
Meaning: It’s very foggy this morning. -
Expression: 이런 날씨에는 따뜻한 커피가 최고죠.
Pronunciation: i-reon nal-ssi-e-neun tta-tteut-han keo-pi-ga choe-go-jyo.
Meaning: Warm coffee is the best in this kind of weather. -
Expression: 안개 때문에 조금 쌀쌀하게 느껴지네요.
Pronunciation: ahn-gae ttae-mun-e jo-geum ssal-ssal-ha-ge neu-kkyeo-ji-ne-yo.
Meaning: It feels a bit chilly because of the fog. -
Expression: 창밖 풍경이 운치 있네요.
Pronunciation: chang-bak pung-gyeong-i un-chi it-ne-yo.
Meaning: The view outside the window is quite atmospheric/moody. -
Expression: 포근한 음료가 생각나는 아침입니다.
Pronunciation: po-geun-han eum-ryo-ga saeng-gak-na-neun a-chim-im-ni-da.
Meaning: It’s the kind of morning that makes you crave a cozy drink. -
Expression: 안개 낀 날에는 라떼가 잘 어울려요.
Pronunciation: ahn-gae kkin nal-e-neun la-tte-ga jal eo-ul-lyeo-yo.
Meaning: Lattes go well with foggy days. -
Expression: 날이 흐려서 그런지 조용하네요.
Pronunciation: nal-i heu-ryeo-seo geu-reon-ji jo-yong-ha-ne-yo.
Meaning: Perhaps because it’s cloudy, it’s quiet. -
Expression: 몸을 녹일 만한 음료를 추천해 드릴까요?
Pronunciation: mom-eul nok-il man-han eum-ryo-reul chu-cheon-hae deu-ril-kka-yo?
Meaning: Shall I recommend a drink to warm you up? -
Expression: 오늘 같은 날은 실내에서 커피 마시기 좋죠.
Pronunciation: o-neul ga-teun nal-eun sil-lae-e-seo keo-pi ma-si-gi jo-cho.
Meaning: Days like today are perfect for drinking coffee indoors. -
Expression: 바깥 날씨와 다르게 여기는 따뜻해요.
Pronunciation: ba-kkat nal-ssi-wa da-reu-ge yeo-gi-neun tta-tteut-hae-yo.
Meaning: Unlike the weather outside, it’s warm in here.
Recommending a Latte
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Expression: 오늘 같은 날엔 부드러운 라떼가 어떠신가요?
Pronunciation: o-neul ga-teun nal-en bu-deu-reo-un la-tte-ga eo-tteo-sin-ga-yo?
Meaning: How about a smooth latte on a day like today? -
Expression: 저희 카페 라떼가 정말 맛있습니다.
Pronunciation: jeo-hui ka-pe la-tte-ga jeong-mal ma-sit-sseum-ni-da.
Meaning: Our cafe’s latte is really delicious. -
Expression: 따뜻한 우유 거품이 올라간 라떼 추천해 드려요.
Pronunciation: tta-tteut-han u-yu geo-pum-i ol-la-gan la-tte chu-cheon-hae deu-ryeo-yo.
Meaning: I recommend a latte topped with warm milk foam. -
Expression: 혹시 라떼 좋아하시면, 저희 시그니처 라떼도 괜찮아요.
Pronunciation: hok-si la-tte jo-a-ha-si-myeon, jeo-hui si-geu-ni-cheo la-tte-do gwaen-chan-a-yo.
Meaning: If you happen to like lattes, our signature latte is also good. -
Expression: 바닐라 라떼나 카라멜 라떼도 준비되어 있습니다.
Pronunciation: ba-nil-la la-tte-na ka-ra-mel la-tte-do jun-bi-doe-eo it-sseum-ni-da.
Meaning: We also have vanilla lattes and caramel lattes available. -
Expression: 라떼 아트도 예쁘게 해 드릴게요.
Pronunciation: la-tte a-teu-do ye-ppeu-ge hae deu-ril-ge-yo.
Meaning: I can make pretty latte art for you too. -
Expression: 샷 추가나 시럽 변경도 가능합니다.
Pronunciation: syat chu-ga-na si-reop byeon-gyeong-do ga-neung-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: Adding extra shots or changing syrup is also possible. -
Expression: 고소한 맛의 라떼를 원하시면 기본 라떼가 좋습니다.
Pronunciation: go-so-han mat-ui la-tte-reul won-ha-si-myeon gi-bon la-tte-ga jot-sseum-ni-da.
Meaning: If you want a nutty-flavored latte, the basic latte is good. -
Expression: 달콤한 라떼를 선호하시면 시럽 추가를 추천드려요.
Pronunciation: dal-kom-han la-tte-reul seon-ho-ha-si-myeon si-reop chu-ga-reul chu-cheon-deu-ryeo-yo.
Meaning: If you prefer a sweet latte, I recommend adding syrup. -
Expression: 오늘의 추천 메뉴는 카페 라떼입니다.
Pronunciation: o-neul-ui chu-cheon me-nyu-neun ka-pe la-tte-im-ni-da.
Meaning: Today’s recommended menu item is the cafe latte.
Taking the Order and Payment
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Expression: 그럼 따뜻한 라떼 한 잔으로 드릴까요?
Pronunciation: geu-reom tta-tteut-han la-tte han jan-eu-ro deu-ril-kka-yo?
Meaning: Then, shall I get you one warm latte? -
Expression: 사이즈는 어떻게 하시겠어요?
Pronunciation: sa-i-jeu-neun eo-tteo-ke ha-si-ge-sseo-yo?
Meaning: What size would you like? -
Expression: 혹시 다른 필요한 건 없으신가요?
Pronunciation: hok-si da-reun pi-ryo-han geon eop-seu-sin-ga-yo?
Meaning: Is there anything else you need? -
Expression: 매장에서 드시나요, 아니면 가져가시나요?
Pronunciation: mae-jang-e-seo deu-si-na-yo, a-ni-myeon ga-jeo-ga-si-na-yo?
Meaning: For here or to go? -
Expression: 총 [금액]원입니다.
Pronunciation: chong [geum-aek]-won-im-ni-da.
Meaning: The total is [Amount] won. -
Expression: 결제는 어떻게 하시겠어요? (카드/현금)
Pronunciation: gyeol-je-neun eo-tteo-ke ha-si-ge-sseo-yo? (ka-deu/hyeon-geum)
Meaning: How would you like to pay? (Card/Cash) -
Expression: 포인트 적립이나 할인 카드 있으신가요?
Pronunciation: po-in-teu jeong-rip-i-na ha-rin ka-deu i-sseu-sin-ga-yo?
Meaning: Do you have a points card or discount card? -
Expression: 주문 확인해 드리겠습니다. 따뜻한 라떼 한 잔 맞으시죠?
Pronunciation: ju-mun hwa-gin-hae deu-ri-get-sseum-ni-da. tta-tteut-han la-tte han jan ma-jeu-si-jyo?
Meaning: I’ll confirm your order. One warm latte, correct? -
Expression: 잠시만 기다려주시면 금방 준비해 드리겠습니다.
Pronunciation: jam-si-man gi-da-ryeo-ju-si-myeon geum-bang jun-bi-hae deu-ri-get-sseum-ni-da.
Meaning: If you wait just a moment, I’ll prepare it for you shortly. -
Expression: 진동벨 드릴게요. 울리면 찾아가세요.
Pronunciation: jin-dong-bel deu-ril-ge-yo. ul-li-myeon cha-ja-ga-se-yo.
Meaning: I’ll give you a pager. Please come pick it up when it buzzes.
Korean Culture Notes
Cafe Culture: Cafes are extremely popular in Korea, serving not just as places to get coffee but also as spots for studying, meeting friends, or relaxing alone. Baristas often engage in light conversation, especially in smaller, neighborhood cafes.
Politeness Levels: Baristas will almost always use formal language (like the -요/-ㅂ니다 endings) with customers. Using polite language back is appreciated.
Recommendations: It’s common for staff in cafes or restaurants to offer recommendations, especially if a customer seems undecided. Accepting or politely declining the suggestion is perfectly fine.
“For Here or To Go?”: The distinction between 매장에서 드시나요? (mae-jang-e-seo deu-si-na-yo? – Eating/drinking here?) and 가져가시나요? (ga-jeo-ga-si-na-yo? – Taking away?) or 포장이신가요? (po-jang-i-sin-ga-yo? – Is it takeout?) is standard. Some cafes might have different pricing or use different cups (mug vs. disposable) based on this.
Small Talk about Weather: Commenting on the weather (오늘 날씨가… – o-neul nal-ssi-ga…) is a very common way to start a brief, friendly interaction in Korea, just like in many other cultures.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: A customer enters a cozy cafe on a cold, foggy morning. The barista greets them and suggests a drink.
Roles: A = Barista, B = Customer
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Expression: A: 어서 오세요. 오늘 안개가 많이 꼈네요.
Pronunciation: A: eo-seo o-se-yo. o-neul ahn-gae-ga ma-ni kkyeot-ne-yo.
Meaning: A: Welcome. It’s very foggy today. -
Expression: B: 네, 그러네요. 꽤 쌀쌀해요.
Pronunciation: B: ne, geu-reo-ne-yo. kkwae ssal-ssal-hae-yo.
Meaning: B: Yes, it is. It’s quite chilly. -
Expression: A: 이런 날씨에는 따뜻한 음료가 좋죠. 혹시 따뜻한 라떼 한 잔 어떠세요? 저희 카페 라떼가 부드럽고 고소해요.
Pronunciation: A: i-reon nal-ssi-e-neun tta-tteut-han eum-ryo-ga jo-cho. hok-si tta-tteut-han la-tte han jan eo-tteo-se-yo? jeo-hui ka-pe la-tte-ga bu-deu-reop-go go-so-hae-yo.
Meaning: A: Warm drinks are nice in this weather. How about a warm latte? Our cafe’s latte is smooth and has a nice nutty flavor. -
Expression: B: 오, 라떼 좋죠. 그럼 따뜻한 라떼 한 잔 주세요.
Pronunciation: B: o, la-tte jo-cho. geu-reom tta-tteut-han la-tte han jan ju-se-yo.
Meaning: B: Oh, a latte sounds good. Then please give me one warm latte. -
Expression: A: 네, 알겠습니다. 매장에서 드시고 가시나요?
Pronunciation: A: ne, al-get-sseum-ni-da. mae-jang-e-seo deu-si-go ga-si-na-yo?
Meaning: A: Yes, understood. Will you be drinking it here? -
Expression: B: 네, 마시고 갈게요.
Pronunciation: B: ne, ma-si-go gal-ge-yo.
Meaning: B: Yes, I’ll drink it here. -
Expression: A: 알겠습니다. 잠시만 기다려주세요. 금방 준비해 드릴게요!
Pronunciation: A: al-get-sseum-ni-da. jam-si-man gi-da-ryeo-ju-se-yo. geum-bang jun-bi-hae deu-ril-ge-yo!
Meaning: A: Okay. Please wait just a moment. I’ll prepare it for you shortly!
Practice Tips
Practicing these phrases will make your cafe experiences in Korea much smoother! Try role-playing the conversation with a friend or language partner~ Imagine different scenarios: maybe you want a different drink, or perhaps you want to ask about pastries too.
Pay attention to the barista’s suggestions next time you visit a Korean cafe (or watch K-dramas featuring cafe scenes!). Listening to how native speakers interact is super helpful! Don’t be afraid to use these phrases yourself – ordering coffee is a great low-pressure way to practice your Korean skills. Fighting!~
