Understanding how service staff make recommendations, especially during specific weather conditions like a hot day, is key to navigating cafes and restaurants in Korea. This guide provides essential Korean phrases a waiter might use to suggest a smoothie to a customer seeking refreshment on a warm afternoon, along with typical customer responses and cultural context.
Table Of Content
Core Suggestion Phrase
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Expression: 시원한 스무디 한 잔 어떠세요?
Pronunciation: si-won-han seu-mu-di han jan eo-tteo-se-yo?
Meaning: How about a refreshing smoothie? (Literally: How about one glass of cool smoothie?)
Describing the Weather and Need for Refreshment
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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: 많이 더우시죠?
Pronunciation: ma-ni deo-u-si-jyo?
Meaning: You must be very hot, right? (Polite) -
Expression: 시원한 음료가 생각나는 날씨예요.
Pronunciation: si-won-han eum-nyo-ga saeng-gang-na-neun nal-ssi-ye-yo.
Meaning: It’s the kind of weather that makes you crave a cold drink. -
Expression: 더위를 식힐 만한 것을 드릴까요?
Pronunciation: deo-wi-reul si-kil man-han geo-seul deu-ril-kka-yo?
Meaning: Shall I get you something to cool you down? -
Expression: 갈증 나시겠어요.
Pronunciation: gal-jeung na-si-ge-sseo-yo.
Meaning: You must be thirsty. (Polite) -
Expression: 상큼한 것이 필요하실 것 같아요.
Pronunciation: sang-keum-han geo-si pi-ryo-ha-sil geot ga-ta-yo.
Meaning: I think you might need something refreshing/tangy. -
Expression: 이런 날엔 시원한 게 최고죠.
Pronunciation: i-reon na-ren si-won-han ge choe-go-jyo.
Meaning: On days like this, something cold is the best. -
Expression: 햇볕이 강하네요.
Pronunciation: haet-byeo-chi gang-ha-ne-yo.
Meaning: The sun is strong. -
Expression: 오후 되니 더 더워졌어요.
Pronunciation: o-hu doe-ni deo deo-wo-jyeo-sseo-yo.
Meaning: It got hotter in the afternoon. -
Expression: 시원하게 드실 만한 음료가 있습니다.
Pronunciation: si-won-ha-ge deu-sil man-han eum-nyo-ga it-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: We have drinks suitable for cooling down.
Waiter Recommendations and Suggestions
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Expression: 저희 딸기 스무디가 인기가 많습니다.
Pronunciation: jeo-hui ttal-gi seu-mu-di-ga in-gi-ga man-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: Our strawberry smoothie is very popular. -
Expression: 망고 스무디를 추천해 드립니다.
Pronunciation: mang-go seu-mu-di-reul chu-cheon-hae deu-rim-ni-da.
Meaning: I recommend the mango smoothie. -
Expression: 오늘 같은 날에는 과일 스무디가 딱입니다.
Pronunciation: o-neul ga-teun na-re-neun gwa-il seu-mu-di-ga ttak-im-ni-da.
Meaning: A fruit smoothie is perfect for a day like today. -
Expression: 새로 나온 블루베리 요거트 스무디는 어떠세요?
Pronunciation: sae-ro na-on beul-lu-be-ri yo-geo-teu seu-mu-di-neun eo-tteo-se-yo?
Meaning: How about our new blueberry yogurt smoothie? -
Expression: 가장 잘 나가는 스무디로 드릴까요?
Pronunciation: ga-jang jal na-ga-neun seu-mu-di-ro deu-ril-kka-yo?
Meaning: Shall I get you our best-selling smoothie? -
Expression: 상큼한 맛을 좋아하시면 키위 스무디도 좋습니다.
Pronunciation: sang-keum-han ma-seul jo-a-ha-si-myeon ki-wi seu-mu-di-do jo-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: If you like a tangy taste, the kiwi smoothie is also good. -
Expression: 이 스무디는 많이 달지 않아서 좋습니다.
Pronunciation: i seu-mu-di-neun ma-ni dal-ji a-na-seo jo-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: This smoothie is good because it’s not too sweet. -
Expression: 얼음은 갈아서 넣어 드립니다.
Pronunciation: eo-reum-eun ga-ra-seo neo-eo deu-rim-ni-da.
Meaning: We blend the ice into it for you. -
Expression: 어떤 종류의 스무디를 선호하세요?
Pronunciation: eo-tteon jong-nyu-ui seu-mu-di-reul seon-ho-ha-se-yo?
Meaning: What kind of smoothie do you prefer? -
Expression: 다른 추천 음료도 있습니다.
Pronunciation: da-reun chu-cheon eum-nyo-do it-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: We have other recommended drinks as well.
Customer Responses and Questions
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Expression: 네, 좋아요. 딸기 스무디 주세요.
Pronunciation: ne, jo-a-yo. ttal-gi seu-mu-di ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Yes, sounds good. Please give me the strawberry smoothie. -
Expression: 음, 스무디 좋죠. 뭐가 제일 인기가 많아요?
Pronunciation: eum, seu-mu-di jo-jyo. mwo-ga je-il in-gi-ga ma-na-yo?
Meaning: Hmm, a smoothie sounds good. Which one is the most popular? -
Expression: 망고 스무디에는 뭐가 들어가나요?
Pronunciation: mang-go seu-mu-di-e-neun mwo-ga deu-reo-ga-na-yo?
Meaning: What goes into the mango smoothie? -
Expression: 혹시 요거트가 들어가지 않은 스무디도 있나요?
Pronunciation: hok-si yo-geo-teu-ga deu-reo-ga-ji a-neun seu-mu-di-do in-na-yo?
Meaning: Do you happen to have any smoothies without yogurt? -
Expression: 너무 단 것은 싫은데요.
Pronunciation: neo-mu dan geo-seun si-reun-de-yo.
Meaning: I don’t like things that are too sweet. -
Expression: 그럼 추천해 주신 걸로 할게요.
Pronunciation: geu-reom chu-cheon-hae ju-sin geol-lo hal-ge-yo.
Meaning: Then I’ll have the one you recommended. -
Expression: 스무디 말고 다른 시원한 음료는 뭐가 있어요?
Pronunciation: seu-mu-di mal-go da-reun si-won-han eum-nyo-neun mwo-ga i-sseo-yo?
Meaning: Besides smoothies, what other cold drinks do you have? -
Expression: 괜찮아요, 그냥 물 주세요.
Pronunciation: gwaen-cha-na-yo, geu-nyang mul ju-se-yo.
Meaning: It’s okay, just give me water, please. -
Expression: 가격은 얼마인가요?
Pronunciation: ga-gyeo-geun eol-ma-in-ga-yo?
Meaning: How much does it cost? -
Expression: 조금만 덜 달게 해 주실 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: jo-geum-man deol dal-ge hae ju-sil su in-na-yo?
Meaning: Could you possibly make it a little less sweet?
Korean Culture Notes
Service Culture: Korean service staff, especially in cafes, are often proactive in making suggestions based on the weather or time of day. It’s common for them to comment on the heat and recommend cooling drinks during summer.
Popular Summer Drinks: Smoothies (스무디 – seu-mu-di), iced Americanos (아이스 아메리카노 – a-i-seu a-me-ri-ka-no), fruit ades (과일 에이드 – gwa-il e-i-deu), and bingsu (빙수 – bing-su, shaved ice dessert) are extremely popular during hot Korean summers.
Customization: While not always possible in busy chains, smaller cafes might accommodate requests like adjusting sweetness levels (덜 달게 – deol dal-ge, less sweet) if you ask politely.
No Tipping: Tipping is not customary in Korea. The price listed on the menu is the final price you pay. Excellent service is expected as part of the standard price.
Calling Staff: In many cafes, you order at the counter. In table-service restaurants or cafes, you might find a call button (호출벨 – ho-chul-bel) on the table. If not, making eye contact and slightly raising your hand or saying 저기요 (jeo-gi-yo – excuse me) is appropriate.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: A customer enters a cafe on a very hot afternoon. The waiter approaches the table.
Roles: A: Waiter (점원 – jeom-won), B: Customer (손님 – son-nim)
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Expression: A: 어서 오세요. 오늘 정말 덥죠?
Pronunciation: A: eo-seo o-se-yo. o-neul jeong-mal deop-jyo?
Meaning: A: Welcome. It’s really hot today, isn’t it? -
Expression: B: 네, 너무 덥네요. 시원한 것 좀 마셔야겠어요.
Pronunciation: B: ne, neo-mu deom-ne-yo. si-won-han geot jom ma-syeo-ya-ge-sseo-yo.
Meaning: B: Yes, it’s so hot. I need to drink something cold. -
Expression: A: 이런 날씨에는 저희 망고 스무디가 아주 인기예요. 시원하고 상큼합니다. 한 잔 어떠세요?
Pronunciation: A: i-reon nal-ssi-e-neun jeo-hui mang-go seu-mu-di-ga a-ju in-gi-ye-yo. si-won-ha-go sang-keum-ham-ni-da. han jan eo-tteo-se-yo?
Meaning: A: On weather like this, our mango smoothie is very popular. It’s cool and refreshing. How about one? -
Expression: B: 오, 망고 스무디요? 좋네요. 많이 단가요?
Pronunciation: B: o, mang-go seu-mu-di-yo? jon-ne-yo. ma-ni dan-ga-yo?
Meaning: B: Oh, a mango smoothie? Sounds good. Is it very sweet? -
Expression: A: 적당히 달콤한 편입니다. 원하시면 조금 덜 달게도 가능합니다.
Pronunciation: A: jeok-dang-hi dal-kom-han pyeo-nim-ni-da. won-ha-si-myeon jo-geum deol dal-ge-do ga-neung-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: A: It’s moderately sweet. If you’d like, we can make it a little less sweet. -
Expression: B: 아, 그럼 그냥 보통으로 주세요. 망고 스무디 한 잔이요.
Pronunciation: B: a, geu-reom geu-nyang bo-tong-eu-ro ju-se-yo. mang-go seu-mu-di han ja-ni-yo.
Meaning: B: Ah, then please just give it to me regular. One mango smoothie. -
Expression: A: 네, 알겠습니다. 잠시만 기다려 주세요.
Pronunciation: A: ne, al-get-seum-ni-da. jam-si-man gi-da-ryeo ju-se-yo.
Meaning: A: Yes, understood. Please wait just a moment.
Practice Tips
Practice makes perfect~! Try role-playing this scenario with a friend or language partner. One person can be the waiter, and the other the customer. Focus on using the weather descriptions and recommendation phrases naturally.
Listen closely when you visit cafes in Korea (or Korean cafes abroad!). You’ll likely hear variations of these phrases. Pay attention to pronunciation and intonation!
Don’t be afraid to ask questions about the menu items, like asking if something is sweet (달아요? – da-ra-yo?) or what ingredients are in it (뭐가 들어갔어요? – mwo-ga deu-reo-ga-sseo-yo?). Good luck practicing!
