Food & drinkBeginner
Ordering pasta in English (beginner)
Beginner English for ordering pasta. Key line: “Hi, I'd like the penne, please.”
Full script
Lin
Hi, I'd like the penne, please.
Them
Sure. Tomato sauce or cream sauce?
Lin
Cream, please. Can I get chicken too?
Them
Yes. Grilled chicken or fried chicken?
Lin
Grilled, please. No fork—I'm brave today.
Them
Okay... do you want a spoon instead?
Lin
Yes, please. Pasta always wins with me.
Them
Got it. One penne, with a backup spoon.
Key phrases
The lines worth keeping. Read them once before you go out.
I'd like
✓ I'd like the penne, please.Polite way to order
Natural way to start ordering
Two choices
✓ Tomato sauce or cream sauce?Asking you to choose
'or' gives two choices
Can I add it?
✓ Can I get chicken too?Adding an extra
'too' at the end sounds natural
No fork
✓ No fork, please.Ask for no fork
Also: No spoon, please
Quick answers
I'd like: what to say in English
Say “I'd like the penne, please.” — polite way to order. Natural way to start ordering.
Two choices: what to say in English
Say “Tomato sauce or cream sauce?” — asking you to choose. 'or' gives two choices.
Can I add it: what to say in English
Say “Can I get chicken too?” — adding an extra. 'too' at the end sounds natural.
No fork: what to say in English
Say “No fork, please.” — ask for no fork. Also: No spoon, please.