Italian · Food & Drink

"A coffee, please" in Italian: un caffè, per favore

un caffè, per favore

Say it: oon kaf-FEH pehr fah-VOH-rehphrase/un kafˈfɛ per faˈvo.re/

A coffee please in Italian is un caffè, per favore. At the bar, say it clearly; Italians often drink espresso standing.

Standing at the counter

Buongiornoun caffè, per favore.
Good morning—a coffee, please.
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How to pronounce un caffè, per favore

Say it

oon kaf-FEH pehr fah-VOH-reh

/un kafˈfɛ per faˈvo.re/

Un caffè, per favore: oon kaf-FEH pehr fah-VOH-reh. Stress FEH and VOH.

"A coffee, please" in Italian: quick reference

ItalianEnglish
un caffè, per favorea coffee, please

Default polite order.

un caffèa coffee

Shorter at a familiar bar.

un caffè macchiato, per favorea macchiato, please

Specific style.

mi fa un caffè, per favore?could you make me a coffee, please?

Softer ask.

How to use un caffè, per favore in real life

  1. 1Standing at the counter

    Buongiornoun caffè, per favore.

    Good morning—a coffee, please.

    Classic bar line.

  2. 2Train station kiosk

    Di corsa: un caffè, per favore.

    In a rush: a coffee, please.

    Quick order.

  3. 3Hotel breakfast

    Per me un caffè, per favore.

    For me a coffee, please.

    Table service.

Mistakes English speakers make with un caffè, per favore

Incorrect: Un caffè per piacere grande.

Correct: Un caffè, per favore.

Keep the set polite phrase; specify size separately if needed.

Incorrect: Una caffè, per favore.

Correct: Un caffè, per favore.

Caffè is masculine: un.

Good to know

In Italy un caffè usually means espresso. If you want an American-style cup, ask for un caffè americano. Paying at the cassa first is common in busy city bars.

Try it in a ChatPal conversation

Ordering at a busy neighborhood bar

  1. ChatPal

    Cosa prendi tu?

    What are you getting?

  2. You

    Un caffè, per favoree tu?

    A coffee, please—and you?

  3. ChatPal

    Anch'io: un caffè, per favore.

    Same: a coffee, please.

  4. You

    Perfetto, pago io stavolta.

    Perfect, I'll pay this time.

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"A coffee, please" in other languages

FAQ

Common questions about "A coffee, please" in Italian

Exact phrase?

Un caffè, per favore.

Without please?

Un caffè works with familiar staff.

Macchiato?

Un caffè macchiato, per favore.

Espresso default?

Yes—un caffè means espresso.

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