Ordering coffee in Korea is usually straightforward, but what happens when you want a specific design on your latte foam? This guide covers the essential Korean phrases and vocabulary for both customers requesting specific latte art and baristas handling such requests, ensuring smooth communication in Korean cafes.
Table Of Content
Key Phrase: Latte Art Request
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Expression: 라떼 아트
Pronunciation: ra-tte a-teu
Meaning: Latte art -
Expression: 특정 모양으로 해 주세요
Pronunciation: teuk-jeong mo-yang-eu-ro hae ju-se-yo
Meaning: Please make it in a specific shape.
Customer: Requesting Specific Latte Art
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Expression: 라떼 아트 해 주실 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: ra-tte a-teu hae ju-sil su it-na-yo?
Meaning: Can you do latte art? -
Expression: 혹시 [모양] 모양으로 만들어 주실 수 있어요?
Pronunciation: hok-si [mo-yang] mo-yang-eu-ro man-deu-reo ju-sil su iss-eo-yo?
Meaning: Could you possibly make it in a [shape] shape? (e.g., 하트 – ha-teu – heart) -
Expression: 이 사진처럼 만들어 주실 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: i sa-jin-cheo-reom man-deu-reo ju-sil su it-na-yo?
Meaning: Can you make it like this picture? -
Expression: 원하는 디자인이 있는데 가능한가요?
Pronunciation: won-ha-neun di-ja-in-i it-neun-de ga-neung-han-ga-yo?
Meaning: I have a design I want, is it possible? -
Expression: 간단한 라떼 아트라도 괜찮아요.
Pronunciation: gan-dan-han ra-tte a-teu-ra-do gwaen-chan-a-yo.
Meaning: Even simple latte art is fine. -
Expression: 하트 모양으로 부탁드려요.
Pronunciation: ha-teu mo-yang-eu-ro bu-tak-deu-ryeo-yo.
Meaning: I’d like a heart shape, please. -
Expression: 나뭇잎 모양 가능할까요?
Pronunciation: na-mun-nip mo-yang ga-neung-hal-kka-yo?
Meaning: Is a leaf shape possible? -
Expression: 추가 비용이 있나요?
Pronunciation: chu-ga bi-yong-i it-na-yo?
Meaning: Is there an additional charge? -
Expression: 어떤 디자인이 가능해요?
Pronunciation: eo-tteon di-ja-in-i ga-neung-hae-yo?
Meaning: What kind of designs are possible? -
Expression: 최대한 비슷하게 해 주세요.
Pronunciation: choe-dae-han bi-seut-ha-ge hae ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please make it as similar as possible.
Barista: Responding to Requests
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Expression: 네, 어떤 모양 원하세요?
Pronunciation: ne, eo-tteon mo-yang won-ha-se-yo?
Meaning: Yes, what kind of shape would you like? -
Expression: 저희는 기본 라떼 아트만 가능합니다.
Pronunciation: jeo-hui-neun gi-bon ra-tte a-teu-man ga-neung-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: We can only do basic latte art. -
Expression: 그 디자인은 좀 어려울 것 같아요.
Pronunciation: geu di-ja-in-eun jom eo-ryeo-ul geot gat-a-yo.
Meaning: That design seems a bit difficult. -
Expression: 죄송하지만, 특정 디자인 요청은 받지 않습니다.
Pronunciation: joe-song-ha-ji-man, teuk-jeong di-ja-in yo-cheong-eun bat-ji an-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: I’m sorry, but we don’t take specific design requests. -
Expression: 한번 시도해 볼게요.
Pronunciation: han-beon si-do-hae bol-ge-yo.
Meaning: I’ll give it a try. -
Expression: 간단한 하트나 나뭇잎 정도는 가능합니다.
Pronunciation: gan-dan-han ha-teu-na na-mun-nip jeong-do-neun ga-neung-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: Simple shapes like hearts or leaves are possible. -
Expression: 시간이 조금 더 걸릴 수 있는데 괜찮으신가요?
Pronunciation: si-gan-i jo-geum deo geol-lil su it-neun-de gwaen-chan-eu-sin-ga-yo?
Meaning: It might take a little longer, is that okay? -
Expression: 보여주신 사진과 똑같이 만들기는 어려울 수 있습니다.
Pronunciation: bo-yeo-ju-sin sa-jin-gwa ttok-gat-i man-deul-gi-neun eo-ryeo-ul su it-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: It might be difficult to make it exactly like the picture you showed. -
Expression: 네, 가능합니다. 잠시만 기다려 주세요.
Pronunciation: ne, ga-neung-ham-ni-da. jam-si-man gi-da-ryeo ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Yes, it’s possible. Please wait a moment. -
Expression: 라떼 아트 요청 시 추가 비용은 없습니다.
Pronunciation: ra-tte a-teu yo-cheong si chu-ga bi-yong-eun eop-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: There is no extra charge for latte art requests.
Vocabulary: Describing Designs
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Expression: 모양
Pronunciation: mo-yang
Meaning: Shape, form -
Expression: 디자인
Pronunciation: di-ja-in
Meaning: Design -
Expression: 하트
Pronunciation: ha-teu
Meaning: Heart -
Expression: 나뭇잎
Pronunciation: na-mun-nip
Meaning: Leaf (tree leaf) -
Expression: 로제타
Pronunciation: ro-je-ta
Meaning: Rosetta (common latte art pattern) -
Expression: 튤립
Pronunciation: tyul-lip
Meaning: Tulip (common latte art pattern) -
Expression: 백조
Pronunciation: baek-jo
Meaning: Swan -
Expression: 곰
Pronunciation: gom
Meaning: Bear -
Expression: 고양이
Pronunciation: go-yang-i
Meaning: Cat -
Expression: 간단한
Pronunciation: gan-dan-han
Meaning: Simple -
Expression: 복잡한
Pronunciation: bok-jap-han
Meaning: Complex, complicated -
Expression: 귀여운
Pronunciation: gwi-yeo-un
Meaning: Cute
Korean Culture Notes
Latte art is quite popular in Korean cafes, and many baristas take pride in their skills. However, the level of complexity offered can vary greatly between cafes. High-traffic cafes might only offer basic patterns or none at all due to time constraints.
When requesting a specific design, it’s always polite to ask if it’s possible first (가능한가요? – ga-neung-han-ga-yo?) rather than demanding it. Showing a picture can be helpful, but be prepared that the result might not be identical.
Understand that complex or highly specific requests might be difficult, especially during busy times. If the barista says it’s difficult (어려울 것 같아요 – eo-ryeo-ul geot gat-a-yo), it’s best to accept their standard art or just enjoy the coffee without a specific design.
While some specialty cafes might charge extra for very intricate art, most standard cafes offering basic latte art do not have an additional fee. It’s acceptable to ask (추가 비용이 있나요? – chu-ga bi-yong-i it-na-yo?) if you are unsure.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: A customer (A) orders a latte at a cafe and asks the barista (B) for a specific latte art design.
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Expression: A: 따뜻한 카페라떼 한 잔 주세요.
Pronunciation: A: tta-tteu-tan ka-pe-ra-tte han jan ju-se-yo.
Meaning: A: One hot cafe latte, please. -
Expression: B: 네, 알겠습니다.
Pronunciation: B: ne, al-get-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: B: Yes, got it. -
Expression: A: 저기… 혹시 라떼 아트 하트 모양으로 해 주실 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: A: jeo-gi… hok-si ra-tte a-teu ha-teu mo-yang-eu-ro hae ju-sil su it-na-yo?
Meaning: A: Excuse me… could you possibly make the latte art in a heart shape? -
Expression: B: 아, 네. 간단한 하트 모양은 가능합니다.
Pronunciation: B: a, ne. gan-dan-han ha-teu mo-yang-eun ga-neung-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: B: Ah, yes. A simple heart shape is possible. -
Expression: A: 감사합니다!
Pronunciation: A: gam-sa-ham-ni-da!
Meaning: A: Thank you! -
Expression: B: 네, 잠시만 기다려 주세요.
Pronunciation: B: ne, jam-si-man gi-da-ryeo ju-se-yo.
Meaning: B: Yes, please wait just a moment.
Practice Tips
Practice these phrases before heading to a Korean cafe! Try role-playing the conversation with a friend or language partner~ You can start by requesting simple shapes like hearts (하트 – ha-teu) or leaves (나뭇잎 – na-mun-nip).
Observe how baristas respond in different cafes. Some might be happy to accommodate, while others might stick to standard procedures. Being polite and understanding is key! Don’t be discouraged if your request can’t be met; just enjoy your delicious Korean coffee experience!
