Food & drinkBeginner
Ordering coffee in English (beginner)
Beginner English for ordering coffee. Key line: “I'd like a small coffee, please.”
Full script
Lin
I'd like a small coffee, please.
Them
Sure. Do you want milk or sugar?
Lin
Milk, please, and one sugar.
Them
Hot or iced?
Lin
Hot, please. My hands are cold.
Them
Got it. One small hot coffee.
Lin
Can I have a lid, please?
Them
Of course. Warm hands first, then coffee.
Key phrases
The lines worth keeping. Read them once before you go out.
I'd like
✓ I'd like a small coffee, please.Polite way to order a drink
Common for orders; polite and natural
milk
✓ Milk, please.Ask to add milk
You can also say sugar or no milk
temperature
✓ Hot or iced?Ask which kind they want
iced = with ice
lid
✓ Can I have a lid, please?Ask for a lid for your cup
Useful for hot drinks to go
Quick answers
I'd like: what to say in English
Say “I'd like a small coffee, please.” — polite way to order a drink. Common for orders; polite and natural.
milk: what to say in English
Say “Milk, please.” — ask to add milk. You can also say sugar or no milk.
temperature: what to say in English
Say “Hot or iced?” — ask which kind they want. iced = with ice.
lid: what to say in English
Say “Can I have a lid, please?” — ask for a lid for your cup. Useful for hot drinks to go.