Have you ever walked into Starbucks and don’t know how to order the coffee you want in English? Don’t worry, we’re going to teach you the basic vocabulary so you know how to order at Starbucks in English.
What size do you usually order?
- Short (8oz) – Short (2.3cl)
- Tall (12oz) – Small (3.5cl)
- Large (16oz) – Large (4.7cl)
- Venti (20oz) – Very large (5.9cl)
- Trenta (30oz) – Extra Large (8.8cl)
Starbucks sizes can be a bit confusing, it should be noted that those offered in any other coffee shop are: small/medium/large – small/medium/large. If you’re not sure what you want, you can say the following: The smallest/largest size, please – The smallest/largest, please.
What is your favorite type of coffee?
- American – American
- Cappuccino – Cappuccino
- Espresso – Express, black coffee
- Latte – With milk
- Macchiato – Spotted
- Mocha – Mocha (with milk and chocolate)
- Iced coffee – With ice
- Frappuccino – With ice, cream, etc.
Do you want to add an extra or modify your coffee?
- Milk – Milk /melk/
- Foam – Foam – eye! It is pronounced /fom/, not /fo-am/.
- Whipped cream – Whipped cream /wept krim/
- Syrup – Syrup /sírap/
- Caramel – Caramel /caramel/
- Decaf – Decaffeinated /díkaf/
- Skinny – With semi or skimmed milk /skéni/
Let’s watch a video in which the protagonist, Niles, tries to order a coffee.
What did Niles ask for?
A) A double short no fat no foam latte.
B) A double short low fat no foam latte.
C) A double short no fat low foam latte.
D) A double short low fat low foam latte.
Have you chosen the correct answer? A little vocabulary will help you understand better:
A) A double short no fat no foam latte – A double short, with skimmed milk and no foam.
B) A double short low fat no foam latt – A double short, with semi-skimmed milk and no foam.
C) A double short no fat low foam latte – A double short, with skimmed milk and little foam.
D) A double short low-fat low foam latte – A double short, with semi-skimmed milk and little foam.
(Correct answer: B).
Practice with these mini dialogues!
Conversation 1
Barista: Hi there, welcome to Starbucks. What would you like to have today?
Barista: Hi, welcome to Starbucks. What would you like to drink today?
Taylor: Can I have a grande iced caramel latte?
Taylor: Can I have a large iced coffee with milk and caramel?
Barista: Anything else?
Bartender: Anything else?
Taylor: That’s all.
Taylor: That’s it.
Barista: Can I get your name for your order?
Barista: May I know your name for the order?
Taylor: Of course. My name’s Taylor.
Taylor: Of course, my name is Taylor.
conversation 2
Barista: Good morning! What can I get for you today?
Bartender: Good morning! What can I serve you today?
Taylor: I’ll have a tall vanilla cappuccino with low-fat milk, please.
Taylor: I’ll have a small vanilla cappuccino with semi-skimmed milk, please.
Barista: Would you like a snack with that?
Barista: Would you like to have a snack with that?
Taylor: I’ll have a croissant as well, please.
Taylor: I’ll have a croissant too, please.
Barista: Is it to have here or to go?
Barista: Is it to drink here or to go?
Taylor: To go, please.
Taylor: Take away, please.
Barista: Ok, that comes to $7 please. Cash or card?
Barista: Okay, that would be $7, please. Cash or card?
Taylor: I’ll pay in cash.
Taylor: I’ll pay cash.
Barista: Ok, here you go!
Barista: Okay, here you go!
Taylor: Thanks. Bye!
Taylor: Thanks, bye!
conversation 3
Barista: Good afternoon! Welcome to Starbucks! How can I help you?
Bartender: Good afternoon! Welcome to Starbucks! How can I help you?
Taylor: I’d like a skinny iced mocha, light ice, with hazelnut syrup and no foam, please.
Taylor: I’d like a skim frozen mocha with a little ice, with hazelnut syrup and no foam, please.
Barista: Ok, what size would you like?
Barista: Okay, what size would you like?
Taylor: Oh come on, please.
Taylor: Oh venti (very big), please.
Barista: Great. Anything else besides the coffee?
Bartender: Great. Anything else besides coffee?
Taylor: A blueberry muffin, please.
Taylor: A blueberry muffin, please.
Would you be able to order at Starbucks in English with no problem? Don’t forget to keep good manners when doing it, you can read more here. If you have any questions, leave us a comment!