Understanding how to interact in specific situations, like ordering or recommending coffee, is key to fluency. This guide focuses on the Korean phrases a barista might use to recommend an iced latte, particularly on a hot day, and how a customer might respond. Learn the essential vocabulary and expressions for smooth communication in Korean cafes.
Table Of Content
Core Recommendation Phrase
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Expression: 아이스 라떼 어떠세요?
Pronunciation: a-i-seu la-tte eo-tteo-se-yo?
Meaning: How about an iced latte? (A polite suggestion)
Essential Barista Phrases
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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: 드시고 가세요, 아니면 가져가세요?
Pronunciation: deu-si-go ga-se-yo, a-ni-myeon ga-jyeo-ga-se-yo?
Meaning: For here or to go? -
Expression: 네, 알겠습니다.
Pronunciation: ne, al-ge-sseum-ni-da.
Meaning: Yes, I understand. / Okay. -
Expression: 잠시만 기다려 주세요.
Pronunciation: jam-si-man gi-da-ryeo ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please wait a moment. -
Expression: 총 [금액]원입니다.
Pronunciation: chong [geum-aek]-won-im-ni-da.
Meaning: The total is [amount] won. -
Expression: 카드 여기 있습니다.
Pronunciation: ka-deu yeo-gi i-sseum-ni-da.
Meaning: Here is your card. -
Expression: 영수증 필요하세요?
Pronunciation: yeong-su-jeung pi-ryo-ha-se-yo?
Meaning: Do you need a receipt? -
Expression: 맛있게 드세요.
Pronunciation: ma-sit-ge deu-se-yo.
Meaning: Enjoy your drink/meal. -
Expression: 감사합니다. 또 오세요.
Pronunciation: gam-sa-ham-ni-da. tto o-se-yo.
Meaning: Thank you. Please come again.
Suggesting Drinks for Hot Weather
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Expression: 오늘 날씨가 정말 덥네요.
Pronunciation: o-neul nal-ssi-ga jeong-mal deom-ne-yo.
Meaning: The weather is really hot today. -
Expression: 시원한 음료 찾으세요?
Pronunciation: si-won-han eum-ryo cha-jeu-se-yo?
Meaning: Are you looking for a cold drink? -
Expression: 더운 날씨에는 아이스 음료가 인기 많아요.
Pronunciation: deo-un nal-ssi-e-neun a-i-seu eum-ryo-ga in-gi ma-na-yo.
Meaning: Iced drinks are popular in hot weather. -
Expression: 저희 아이스 라떼가 정말 맛있습니다.
Pronunciation: jeo-hui a-i-seu la-tte-ga jeong-mal ma-si-sseum-ni-da.
Meaning: Our iced latte is really delicious. -
Expression: 시원한 아이스 라떼 한 잔 어떠세요?
Pronunciation: si-won-han a-i-seu la-tte han jan eo-tteo-se-yo?
Meaning: How about a refreshing glass of iced latte? -
Expression: 아이스 아메리카노도 많이 찾으세요.
Pronunciation: a-i-seu a-me-ri-ka-no-do ma-ni cha-jeu-se-yo.
Meaning: Many people also order iced Americano. -
Expression: 혹시 다른 시원한 음료 추천해 드릴까요?
Pronunciation: hok-si da-reun si-won-han eum-ryo chu-cheon-hae deu-ril-kka-yo?
Meaning: Shall I recommend another cold drink, perhaps? -
Expression: 달콤하고 시원한 음료를 원하시면 [음료 이름]도 좋습니다.
Pronunciation: dal-kom-ha-go si-won-han eum-ryo-reul won-ha-si-myeon [eum-ryo i-reum]-do jo-sseum-ni-da.
Meaning: If you want something sweet and cold, [Drink Name] is also good. -
Expression: 갈증 해소에는 에이드 종류도 괜찮아요.
Pronunciation: gal-jjeung hae-so-e-neun e-i-deu jong-ryu-do gwaen-cha-na-yo.
Meaning: Ade-type drinks are also good for quenching thirst. -
Expression: 저희 매장 시그니처 아이스 음료입니다.
Pronunciation: jeo-hui mae-jang si-geu-ni-cheo a-i-seu eum-ryo-im-ni-da.
Meaning: This is our cafe’s signature iced drink.
Customer Responses to Recommendations
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Expression: 네, 좋아요. 아이스 라떼 주세요.
Pronunciation: ne, jo-a-yo. a-i-seu la-tte ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Yes, sounds good. Please give me an iced latte. -
Expression: 음, 그럼 그걸로 할게요.
Pronunciation: eum, geu-reom geu-geol-lo hal-ge-yo.
Meaning: Hmm, okay, I’ll have that then. -
Expression: 아이스 라떼요? 괜찮네요.
Pronunciation: a-i-seu la-tte-yo? gwaen-chan-ne-yo.
Meaning: An iced latte? That sounds fine. -
Expression: 아니요, 괜찮아요. 그냥 [다른 음료] 주세요.
Pronunciation: a-ni-yo, gwaen-cha-na-yo. geu-nyang [da-reun eum-ryo] ju-se-yo.
Meaning: No, it’s okay. Just give me [Another Drink]. -
Expression: 혹시 덜 달게 가능한가요?
Pronunciation: hok-si deol dal-ge ga-neung-han-ga-yo?
Meaning: Is it possible to make it less sweet? -
Expression: 아이스 라떼 말고 다른 추천 메뉴 있어요?
Pronunciation: a-i-seu la-tte mal-go da-reun chu-cheon me-nyu i-sseo-yo?
Meaning: Besides the iced latte, do you have any other recommendations? -
Expression: 얼마나 걸릴까요?
Pronunciation: eol-ma-na geol-lil-kka-yo?
Meaning: How long will it take? -
Expression: 사이즈는 어떻게 되나요?
Pronunciation: ssa-i-jeu-neun eo-tteo-ke doe-na-yo?
Meaning: What are the sizes? -
Expression: 디카페인으로 가능한가요?
Pronunciation: di-ka-pe-in-eu-ro ga-neung-han-ga-yo?
Meaning: Is decaf available? -
Expression: 추천 감사합니다. 그걸로 마셔볼게요.
Pronunciation: chu-cheon gam-sa-ham-ni-da. geu-geol-lo ma-syeo-bol-ge-yo.
Meaning: Thanks for the recommendation. I’ll try that.
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 cafes to be busy, especially during peak hours.
“Ice Americano” Preference: While iced lattes are common, the “Ah-Ah” (아아 – a-a), short for 아이스 아메리카노 (a-i-seu a-me-ri-ka-no), is arguably the most popular iced coffee drink, especially in summer. Don’t be surprised if it’s recommended frequently.
Ordering Etiquette: Ordering is usually done at the counter. It’s common to pay immediately after ordering. Many cafes use buzzers (진동벨 – jin-dong-bel) to notify customers when their order is ready.
Politeness Levels: Baristas will typically use formal language (like the -요/-ㅂ니다 endings used here) with customers. As a customer, using similar polite endings is standard and appreciated.
Customization: While basic customizations like “less sweet” (덜 달게 – deol dal-ge) or “extra shot” (샷 추가 – syat chu-ga) are common, overly complex orders might be less frequent than in some Western coffee chains.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: A customer enters a cafe on a very hot summer afternoon. The barista greets them and suggests a suitable drink.
Roles: A = Barista, B = Customer
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Expression: A: 어서 오세요!
Pronunciation: A: eo-seo o-se-yo!
Meaning: A: Welcome! -
Expression: B: 안녕하세요.
Pronunciation: B: an-nyeong-ha-se-yo.
Meaning: B: Hello. -
Expression: A: 주문하시겠어요? 오늘 날씨가 정말 덥네요. 시원한 음료 찾으시죠?
Pronunciation: A: ju-mun-ha-si-ge-sseo-yo? o-neul nal-ssi-ga jeong-mal deom-ne-yo. si-won-han eum-ryo cha-jeu-si-jyo?
Meaning: A: Would you like to order? The weather is really hot today. You’re looking for a cold drink, right? -
Expression: B: 네, 너무 더워서 시원한 것 좀 마시려고요. 뭐가 좋을까요?
Pronunciation: B: ne, neo-mu deo-wo-seo si-won-han geot jom ma-si-ryeo-go-yo. mwo-ga jo-eul-kka-yo?
Meaning: B: Yes, it’s so hot, I need something cold to drink. What would be good? -
Expression: A: 더운 날에는 저희 아이스 라떼가 부드럽고 시원해서 인기가 많아요. 아이스 라떼 한 잔 어떠세요?
Pronunciation: A: deo-un na-re-neun jeo-hui a-i-seu la-tte-ga bu-deu-reop-go si-won-hae-seo in-gi-ga ma-na-yo. a-i-seu la-tte han jan eo-tteo-se-yo?
Meaning: A: On hot days, our iced latte is popular because it’s smooth and refreshing. How about an iced latte? -
Expression: B: 오, 아이스 라떼요? 좋네요! 그걸로 하나 주세요.
Pronunciation: B: o, a-i-seu la-tte-yo? jon-ne-yo! geu-geol-lo ha-na ju-se-yo.
Meaning: B: Oh, an iced latte? Sounds good! Please give me one of those. -
Expression: A: 네, 알겠습니다. 드시고 가세요?
Pronunciation: A: ne, al-ge-sseum-ni-da. deu-si-go ga-se-yo?
Meaning: A: Yes, understood. For here? -
Expression: B: 네, 여기서 마실게요.
Pronunciation: B: ne, yeo-gi-seo ma-sil-ge-yo.
Meaning: B: Yes, I’ll drink it here. -
Expression: A: 아이스 라떼 한 잔, 5,000원입니다. 잠시만 기다려 주세요.
Pronunciation: A: a-i-seu la-tte han jan, o-cheon-won-im-ni-da. jam-si-man gi-da-ryeo ju-se-yo.
Meaning: A: One iced latte, that’s 5,000 won. Please wait just a moment.
Practice Tips
Now you have the key phrases for recommending and ordering an iced latte in Korean! Try practicing these expressions out loud, focusing on the pronunciation~ Role-playing the conversation example with a friend or language partner is a great way to build confidence. Next time you’re in a Korean cafe (or even imagining one!), try using these phrases. 화이팅 (hwa-i-ting – You can do it)!
