Knowing how to interact at a cafe after exercising is useful, especially when you want something refreshing and healthy. This guide covers essential Korean phrases for baristas recommending smoothies to customers who’ve just finished a workout, and how customers can respond and customize their orders.
Table Of Content
Core Recommendation Phrase
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Expression: 운동 후에 스무디 어떠세요?
Pronunciation: un-dong hu-e seu-mu-di eo-tteo-se-yo?
Meaning: How about a smoothie after your workout?
Barista Recommendations
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Expression: 운동 끝나고 오셨나 봐요. 시원한 스무디 추천해 드릴까요?
Pronunciation: un-dong kkeun-na-go o-syeon-na bwa-yo. si-won-han seu-mu-di chu-cheon-hae deu-ril-kka-yo?
Meaning: It looks like you just finished exercising. Shall I recommend a refreshing smoothie? -
Expression: 피로 회복에 좋은 과일 스무디가 있습니다.
Pronunciation: pi-ro hoe-bo-ge jo-eun gwa-il seu-mu-di-ga it-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: We have fruit smoothies that are good for fatigue recovery. -
Expression: 단백질 추가 가능한 스무디도 있어요.
Pronunciation: dan-baek-jil chu-ga ga-neung-han seu-mu-di-do i-sseo-yo.
Meaning: We also have smoothies where you can add protein. -
Expression: 이 베리 스무디는 항산화 성분이 많아서 운동 후에 좋습니다.
Pronunciation: i be-ri seu-mu-di-neun hang-san-hwa seong-bu-ni ma-na-seo un-dong hu-e jo-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: This berry smoothie has lots of antioxidants, so it’s good after a workout. -
Expression: 상큼한 맛을 원하시면 키위 스무디를 추천해 드려요.
Pronunciation: sang-keum-han ma-seul won-ha-si-myeon ki-wi seu-mu-di-reul chu-cheon-hae deu-ryeo-yo.
Meaning: If you want something refreshing (tangy), I recommend the kiwi smoothie. -
Expression: 그린 스무디는 채소가 들어가서 건강에 더 좋습니다.
Pronunciation: geu-rin seu-mu-di-neun chae-so-ga deu-reo-ga-seo geon-gang-e deo jo-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: The green smoothie contains vegetables, so it’s even better for your health. -
Expression: 오늘 운동하신 분들께 딸기 바나나 스무디를 많이 추천해 드리고 있어요.
Pronunciation: o-neul un-dong-ha-sin bun-deul-kke ttal-gi ba-na-na seu-mu-di-reul ma-ni chu-cheon-hae deu-ri-go i-sseo-yo.
Meaning: We’re recommending the strawberry banana smoothie a lot today to people who’ve worked out. -
Expression: 갈증 해소에는 수박 스무디가 최고예요.
Pronunciation: gal-jjeung hae-so-e-neun su-bak seu-mu-di-ga choe-go-ye-yo.
Meaning: For quenching thirst, watermelon smoothie is the best. -
Expression: 에너지 보충이 필요하시면 망고 스무디도 괜찮아요.
Pronunciation: e-neo-ji bo-chung-i pil-yo-ha-si-myeon mang-go seu-mu-di-do gwaen-cha-na-yo.
Meaning: If you need an energy boost, the mango smoothie is also good. -
Expression: 저희 스무디는 설탕 대신 꿀이나 아가베 시럽을 사용합니다.
Pronunciation: jeo-hui seu-mu-di-neun seol-tang dae-sin kkul-i-na a-ga-be si-reo-beul sa-yong-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: Our smoothies use honey or agave syrup instead of sugar.
Customer Responses and Questions
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Expression: 네, 운동하고 와서 시원한 게 마시고 싶어요.
Pronunciation: ne, un-dong-ha-go wa-seo si-won-han ge ma-si-go si-peo-yo.
Meaning: Yes, I just worked out and want to drink something cold/refreshing. -
Expression: 어떤 스무디가 제일 인기가 많아요?
Pronunciation: eo-tteon seu-mu-di-ga je-il in-gi-ga ma-na-yo?
Meaning: Which smoothie is the most popular? -
Expression: 단백질 추가하면 얼마인가요?
Pronunciation: dan-baek-jil chu-ga-ha-myeon eol-ma-in-ga-yo?
Meaning: How much is it to add protein? -
Expression: 너무 달지 않은 걸로 추천해 주세요.
Pronunciation: neo-mu dal-ji an-eun geol-lo chu-cheon-hae ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please recommend something that isn’t too sweet. -
Expression: 추천해 주신 걸로 주세요.
Pronunciation: chu-cheon-hae ju-sin geol-lo ju-se-yo.
Meaning: I’ll have the one you recommended. -
Expression: 딸기 바나나 스무디 하나 주세요.
Pronunciation: ttal-gi ba-na-na seu-mu-di ha-na ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please give me one strawberry banana smoothie. -
Expression: 그린 스무디에는 뭐가 들어가나요?
Pronunciation: geu-rin seu-mu-di-e-neun mwo-ga deu-reo-ga-na-yo?
Meaning: What goes into the green smoothie? -
Expression: 혹시 요거트 스무디도 있나요?
Pronunciation: hok-si yo-geo-teu seu-mu-di-do in-na-yo?
Meaning: Do you happen to have yogurt smoothies too? -
Expression: 운동 후에 마시기 좋은 다른 음료는 없나요?
Pronunciation: un-dong hu-e ma-si-gi jo-eun da-reun eum-nyo-neun eom-na-yo?
Meaning: Are there any other drinks good for after a workout? -
Expression: 그냥 물 한 병 주세요.
Pronunciation: geu-nyang mul han byeong ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Just give me a bottle of water, please.
Customizing Your Smoothie
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Expression: 덜 달게 해 주세요.
Pronunciation: deol dal-ge hae ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please make it less sweet. -
Expression: 시럽은 빼 주세요.
Pronunciation: si-reo-beun ppae ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please leave out the syrup. -
Expression: 단백질 파우더 추가해 주세요.
Pronunciation: dan-baek-jil pa-u-deo chu-ga-hae ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please add protein powder. -
Expression: 얼음 적게 넣어 주세요.
Pronunciation: eo-reum jeok-ge neo-eo ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please put less ice. -
Expression: 우유 대신 두유로 바꿔주실 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: u-yu dae-sin du-yu-ro ba-kkwo-ju-sil su in-na-yo?
Meaning: Can you substitute soy milk for regular milk? -
Expression: 요거트 추가 가능한가요?
Pronunciation: yo-geo-teu chu-ga ga-neung-han-ga-yo?
Meaning: Is it possible to add yogurt? -
Expression: 치아씨드 넣어주세요.
Pronunciation: chi-a-ssi-deu neo-eo-ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please add chia seeds. -
Expression: 케일 좀 더 넣어주실 수 있어요?
Pronunciation: ke-il jom deo neo-eo-ju-sil su i-sseo-yo?
Meaning: Can you add a little more kale? -
Expression: 견과류 알레르기가 있는데, 괜찮을까요?
Pronunciation: gyeon-gwa-ryu al-le-reu-gi-ga it-neun-de, gwaen-cha-neul-kka-yo?
Meaning: I have a nut allergy, will it be okay? -
Expression: 가장 신선한 과일로 만들어 주세요.
Pronunciation: ga-jang sin-seon-han gwa-il-lo man-deu-reo ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please make it with the freshest fruit.
Korean Culture Notes
Health and wellness are increasingly popular trends in Korea. Many cafes cater to health-conscious customers, offering options like smoothies with protein powder, green smoothies, and low-sugar alternatives. It’s common to see people in workout gear grabbing a drink after visiting a nearby gym.
Korean service culture often involves proactive recommendations. Baristas might genuinely suggest items they think you’ll enjoy based on the situation (like noticing you’re in workout clothes). Accepting their recommendation is often appreciated, but it’s perfectly fine to politely decline or ask for something else.
Customizing orders is generally acceptable in most Korean cafes, especially chains or modern independent shops. Asking for less sugar (덜 달게 – deol dal-ge) or substituting milk (우유 대신 두유 – u-yu dae-sin du-yu) is quite common.
While smoothies are popular, you might also find other post-workout options like fresh fruit juices (생과일 주스 – saeng-gwa-il ju-seu) or even iced Americanos, which are ubiquitous in Korea regardless of the occasion.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: A customer (B) enters a cafe wearing gym clothes. The barista (A) greets them and suggests a smoothie.
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Expression: A: 어서 오세요! 운동하고 오셨나 봐요?
Pronunciation: A: eo-seo o-se-yo! un-dong-ha-go o-syeon-na bwa-yo?
Meaning: A: Welcome! It looks like you just came from working out? -
Expression: B: 네, 방금 헬스장에서 나왔어요. 시원한 것 좀 마시려고요.
Pronunciation: B: ne, bang-geum hel-seu-jang-e-seo na-wa-sseo-yo. si-won-han geot jom ma-si-ryeo-go-yo.
Meaning: B: Yes, I just came from the gym. I’d like to drink something cold. -
Expression: A: 그러시면 저희 베리 믹스 스무디 어떠세요? 피로 회복에 좋고 맛도 상큼합니다.
Pronunciation: A: geu-reo-si-myeon jeo-hui be-ri mik-seu seu-mu-di eo-tteo-se-yo? pi-ro hoe-bo-ge jo-ko mat-do sang-keum-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: A: In that case, how about our berry mix smoothie? It’s good for fatigue recovery and tastes refreshing. -
Expression: B: 오, 좋은데요? 혹시 많이 단가요? 덜 달게 가능한가요?
Pronunciation: B: o, jo-eun-de-yo? hok-si ma-ni dan-ga-yo? deol dal-ge ga-neung-han-ga-yo?
Meaning: B: Oh, sounds good! Is it very sweet, by any chance? Is it possible to make it less sweet? -
Expression: A: 네, 그럼요. 시럽 양 조절해 드릴 수 있어요. 덜 달게 해 드릴까요?
Pronunciation: A: ne, geu-reom-yo. si-reop yang jo-jeol-hae deu-ril su i-sseo-yo. deol dal-ge hae deu-ril-kka-yo?
Meaning: A: Yes, of course. We can adjust the amount of syrup. Shall I make it less sweet for you? -
Expression: B: 네, 덜 달게 해 주시고, 혹시 단백질 파우더 추가도 되나요?
Pronunciation: B: ne, deol dal-ge hae ju-si-go, hok-si dan-baek-jil pa-u-deo chu-ga-do doe-na-yo?
Meaning: B: Yes, please make it less sweet, and can protein powder be added too? -
Expression: A: 네, 가능합니다. 추가하시면 천 원 더 추가됩니다. 괜찮으신가요?
Pronunciation: A: ne, ga-neung-ham-ni-da. chu-ga-ha-si-myeon cheon won deo chu-ga-doem-ni-da. gwaen-cha-neu-sin-ga-yo?
Meaning: A: Yes, it’s possible. It’s an additional 1,000 won if you add it. Is that okay? -
Expression: B: 네, 좋아요. 그럼 베리 믹스 스무디 덜 달게, 단백질 추가해서 하나 주세요.
Pronunciation: B: ne, jo-a-yo. geu-reom be-ri mik-seu seu-mu-di deol dal-ge, dan-baek-jil chu-ga-hae-seo ha-na ju-se-yo.
Meaning: B: Yes, that’s fine. Then please give me one berry mix smoothie, less sweet, with added protein. -
Expression: A: 알겠습니다. 잠시만 기다려 주세요!
Pronunciation: A: al-get-seum-ni-da. jam-si-man gi-da-ryeo ju-se-yo!
Meaning: A: Understood. Please wait just a moment!
Practice Tips
Practice makes perfect~! Try role-playing this scenario with a friend or language partner. You can be the barista one time and the customer the next. Visit a local Korean cafe (if possible) and listen to how orders are taken and recommendations are made. Even if you just order a simple drink, pay attention to the interaction! Don’t be afraid to try customizing your order using phrases like 덜 달게 해 주세요 (deol dal-ge hae ju-se-yo). Good luck!
