Understanding how to make recommendations politely is key in customer service interactions. This guide focuses on the specific scenario of a Korean barista suggesting a cappuccino to a customer, particularly on a cooler day, providing essential phrases and cultural context for natural communication.
Table Of Content
Core Recommendation Phrase
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Expression: 쌀쌀한 날엔 카푸치노 어떠세요?
Pronunciation: ssal-ssal-han nal-en ka-pu-chi-no eo-tteo-se-yo?
Meaning: How about a cappuccino on a chilly day? (A polite suggestion linking the drink to the weather)
Greeting the Customer
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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: 어떤 음료 찾으세요?
Pronunciation: eo-tteon eum-nyo cha-jeu-se-yo?
Meaning: What kind of drink are you looking for? -
Expression: 안녕하세요, 주문 도와드릴까요?
Pronunciation: an-nyeong-ha-se-yo, ju-mun do-wa-deu-ril-kka-yo?
Meaning: Hello, may I help you with your order? -
Expression: 메뉴 여기 있습니다.
Pronunciation: me-nyu yeo-gi it-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: Here is the menu. -
Expression: 천천히 보시고 말씀해주세요.
Pronunciation: cheon-cheon-hi bo-si-go mal-sseum-hae-ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please take your time looking and let me know. -
Expression: 오늘 날씨가 좀 쌀쌀하네요.
Pronunciation: o-neul nal-ssi-ga jom ssal-ssal-ha-ne-yo.
Meaning: The weather is a bit chilly today, isn’t it? -
Expression: 따뜻한 음료 생각나시면 말씀해주세요.
Pronunciation: tta-tteut-han eum-nyo saeng-gang-na-si-myeon mal-sseum-hae-ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please let me know if you’re thinking of a warm drink. -
Expression: 혹시 찾으시는 메뉴 있으신가요?
Pronunciation: hok-si cha-jeu-si-neun me-nyu i-sseu-sin-ga-yo?
Meaning: Is there a specific menu item you are looking for?
Recommending the Cappuccino
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Expression: 오늘 같은 날씨에는 따뜻한 카푸치노가 잘 어울려요.
Pronunciation: o-neul ga-teun nal-ssi-e-neun tta-tteut-han ka-pu-chi-no-ga jal eo-ul-lyeo-yo.
Meaning: A warm cappuccino goes well with weather like today’s. -
Expression: 부드러운 우유 거품이 있는 카푸치노 추천해 드려요.
Pronunciation: bu-deu-reo-un u-yu geo-pum-i it-neun ka-pu-chi-no chu-cheon-hae deu-ryeo-yo.
Meaning: I recommend the cappuccino, which has soft milk foam. -
Expression: 저희 카푸치노 한번 드셔보시겠어요?
Pronunciation: jeo-hui ka-pu-chi-no han-beon deu-syeo-bo-si-ge-sseo-yo?
Meaning: Would you like to try our cappuccino? -
Expression: 쌀쌀할 때는 카푸치노가 인기가 많아요.
Pronunciation: ssal-ssal-hal ttae-neun ka-pu-chi-no-ga in-gi-ga ma-na-yo.
Meaning: Cappuccino is very popular when it’s chilly. -
Expression: 따뜻하고 고소한 카푸치노 어떠신가요?
Pronunciation: tta-tteut-ha-go go-so-han ka-pu-chi-no eo-tteo-sin-ga-yo?
Meaning: How about a warm and savory cappuccino? -
Expression: 몸을 녹이기에 카푸치노가 좋을 것 같아요.
Pronunciation: mo-meul no-gi-gi-e ka-pu-chi-no-ga jo-eul geot ga-ta-yo.
Meaning: I think a cappuccino would be good for warming up. -
Expression: 저희 시그니처 블렌드로 만든 카푸치노입니다.
Pronunciation: jeo-hui si-geu-ni-cheo beul-len-deu-ro man-deun ka-pu-chi-no-im-ni-da.
Meaning: This is a cappuccino made with our signature blend. -
Expression: 시나몬 가루 뿌려드릴까요?
Pronunciation: si-na-mon ga-ru ppu-ryeo-deu-ril-kka-yo?
Meaning: Shall I sprinkle some cinnamon powder on top? -
Expression: 카푸치노 좋아하시면 만족하실 거예요.
Pronunciation: ka-pu-chi-no jo-a-ha-si-myeon man-jok-ha-sil geo-ye-yo.
Meaning: If you like cappuccino, you will be satisfied. -
Expression: 혹시 다른 추천 원하시면 말씀해주세요.
Pronunciation: hok-si da-reun chu-cheon won-ha-si-myeon mal-sseum-hae-ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please let me know if you’d like another recommendation.
Taking the Order
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Expression: 그럼 카푸치노 한 잔 드릴까요?
Pronunciation: geu-reom ka-pu-chi-no han jan deu-ril-kka-yo?
Meaning: Then, shall I get you one cappuccino? -
Expression: 따뜻한 카푸치노 맞으시죠?
Pronunciation: tta-tteut-han ka-pu-chi-no ma-jeu-si-jyo?
Meaning: A hot cappuccino, correct? -
Expression: 사이즈는 어떻게 해드릴까요? (보통, 큰)
Pronunciation: sa-i-jeu-neun eo-tteo-ke hae-deu-ril-kka-yo? (bo-tong, keun)
Meaning: What size would you like? (Regular, Large) -
Expression: 더 필요하신 건 없으세요?
Pronunciation: deo pil-yo-ha-sin geon eop-seu-se-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-jyeo-ga-si-na-yo?
Meaning: For here or to go? -
Expression: 총 [금액]원입니다.
Pronunciation: chong [geu-maek]-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-nip-i-na ha-rin ka-deu i-sseu-sin-ga-yo?
Meaning: Do you have a points card or discount card? -
Expression: 잠시만 기다려주세요.
Pronunciation: jam-si-man gi-da-ryeo-ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please wait a moment. -
Expression: 주문하신 카푸치노 나왔습니다.
Pronunciation: ju-mun-ha-sin ka-pu-chi-no na-wat-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: Your cappuccino order is ready. -
Expression: 맛있게 드세요.
Pronunciation: ma-sit-ge deu-se-yo.
Meaning: Enjoy your drink.
Korean Cafe Culture Notes
Understanding Korean cafe culture enhances interactions. Staff often make recommendations, especially for seasonal or popular items. Using polite language (존댓말 – jon-daen-mal) is standard in service interactions, so phrases ending in -요 (-yo) or -ㅂ/습니다 (-p/seum-ni-da) are appropriate.
It’s common for baristas to comment on the weather as a conversation starter or to justify a recommendation, like suggesting a hot drink on a cold day. This is seen as friendly and attentive service.
Customers usually order and pay at the counter first. You’ll often be asked 매장에서 드시나요, 아니면 가져가시나요? (mae-jang-e-seo deu-si-na-yo, a-ni-myeon ga-jyeo-ga-si-na-yo?) – “For here or to go?”.
Coffee culture is huge in Korea, with cafes on nearly every corner. Trying recommended drinks is a good way to experience local tastes and trends.
While tipping is not customary in Korea, expressing thanks with 감사합니다 (gam-sa-ham-ni-da) or 잘 마실게요 (jal ma-sil-ge-yo – “I’ll drink it well”) is appreciated.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: A customer (B) enters a cafe on a cool autumn day. The barista (A) greets them and recommends a cappuccino.
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Expression: A: 어서 오세요. 주문 도와드릴까요?
Pronunciation: A: eo-seo o-se-yo. ju-mun do-wa-deu-ril-kka-yo?
Meaning: A: Welcome. May I help you with your order? -
Expression: B: 네, 뭘 마실지 고민 중이에요.
Pronunciation: B: ne, mwol ma-sil-ji go-min jung-i-e-yo.
Meaning: B: Yes, I’m thinking about what to drink. -
Expression: A: 오늘 날씨가 꽤 쌀쌀한데, 따뜻한 음료 어떠세요? 특히 저희 카푸치노가 부드럽고 맛있어요.
Pronunciation: A: o-neul nal-ssi-ga kkwae ssal-ssal-han-de, tta-tteut-han eum-nyo eo-tteo-se-yo? teu-ki jeo-hui ka-pu-chi-no-ga bu-deu-reop-go ma-si-sseo-yo.
Meaning: A: The weather is quite chilly today, how about a warm drink? Our cappuccino is especially smooth and delicious. -
Expression: B: 아, 카푸치노요? 좋네요. 그럼 따뜻한 카푸치노 한 잔 주세요.
Pronunciation: B: a, ka-pu-chi-no-yo? jon-ne-yo. geu-reom tta-tteut-han ka-pu-chi-no han jan ju-se-yo.
Meaning: B: Oh, cappuccino? Sounds good. Then please give me one hot cappuccino. -
Expression: A: 네, 따뜻한 카푸치노 한 잔 준비해 드리겠습니다. 혹시 시나몬 가루 뿌려드릴까요?
Pronunciation: A: ne, tta-tteut-han ka-pu-chi-no han jan jun-bi-hae deu-ri-get-seum-ni-da. hok-si si-na-mon ga-ru ppu-ryeo-deu-ril-kka-yo?
Meaning: A: Okay, I’ll prepare one hot cappuccino for you. Would you like cinnamon powder sprinkled on top, by any chance? -
Expression: B: 네, 뿌려주세요.
Pronunciation: B: ne, ppu-ryeo-ju-se-yo.
Meaning: B: Yes, please sprinkle some. -
Expression: A: 알겠습니다. 더 필요하신 건 없으신가요?
Pronunciation: A: al-get-seum-ni-da. deo pil-yo-ha-sin geon eop-seu-sin-ga-yo?
Meaning: A: Understood. Is there anything else you need? -
Expression: B: 아니요, 괜찮아요.
Pronunciation: B: a-ni-yo, gwaen-cha-na-yo.
Meaning: B: No, that’s all. -
Expression: A: 네, 총 [금액]원입니다. 잠시만 기다려주세요.
Pronunciation: A: ne, chong [geu-maek]-won-im-ni-da. jam-si-man gi-da-ryeo-ju-se-yo.
Meaning: A: Okay, the total is [Amount] won. Please wait just a moment.
Practice Makes Perfect!
Now you have the phrases to recommend a cappuccino like a pro Korean barista, especially when the weather turns cool! Try practicing these expressions out loud~ Pay attention to the pronunciation and the polite endings. Role-playing with a friend can be really helpful! The next time you’re in a Korean cafe (or even just imagining it!), try using these phrases in your head. Keep practicing, and soon you’ll sound very natural! 화이팅! (hwa-i-ting! – Fighting!/You can do it!)
