If you’re learning Italian and planning a trip to Italy, one phrase you absolutely need to know is how to say ‘I would like’ in Italian. Why? Because making polite requests is crucial for navigating cafés, restaurants, and other public spaces.
With that in mind, today, we’ll look at how to say ‘I would like’ in Italian, using it in various situations to ensure you feel confident when ordering or making requests. In this blog post, we’ll also cover other key phrases for a comfortable experience at Italian cafés and restaurants, inspired by our Coffee Break Italian lesson that you can listen to right now!
Let’s get started!
How to say ‘I would like’ in Italian
The phrase ‘I would like’ in Italian can be simply translated with the verb vorrei. It’s polite, soft, and perfect for making requests in any setting, particularly when you’re at a café or restaurant. Let’s break down how you might use it in different contexts:
- Vorrei un cappuccino. I would like a cappuccino.
- Vorrei un bicchiere di vino bianco. I would like a glass of white wine.
Using vorrei is more polite than simply saying voglio I want, which can come across as a bit demanding.
How to order coffee in Italian?
In the previous topic, we saw an example that gives you a hint. To order a coffee in Italian, you must simply add the name of the beverage you would like. For example:
- Vorrei un caffè. I would like a coffee.
- Vorrei un caffè decaffeinato. I would like a decaffeinated coffee.
- Vorrei una limonata. I would like a lemonade.
You may not always be ordering just for yourself, perhaps you’re with family or friends. Let’s explore how you can use vorrei to order on behalf of others:
- Per mia madre, un cappuccino. For my mother, a cappuccino.
- Vorrei per il mio amico una cioccolata calda. I would like a hot chocolate for my friend.
These examples are particularly useful if you’re in a group and everyone is ordering different things.
How to order drinks at a restaurant in Italian?
Ordering drinks at a restaurant in Italy is quite similar to ordering at a café, but there are a few additional phrases that can be useful. When seated at a restaurant, a server might ask you what you’d like to drink, and you can respond using vorrei to keep your request polite.
- Vorrei una bottiglia di vino rosso, per favore. I would like a bottle of red wine, please.
- Vorrei un bicchiere di acqua naturale. I would like a glass of still water.
If you’re ordering drinks for your family, in Italian, you can use phrases like:
- Per mia madre, un bicchiere di vino bianco. For my mother, a glass of white wine.
- Per mio padre, un’acqua frizzante. For my father, a sparkling water.
Read also: 8 essential Italian restaurant phrases for learners
Common beverages to order
Here are some common drinks you might order in an Italian café or restaurant:
- un vino bianco a white wine
- uno spumante a fizz, similar to prosecco
- un bicchiere di acqua a glass of water
- una bottiglia di acqua naturale a bottle of still water
- un cappuccino a cappuccino
- un caffè corretto an espresso with a dash of liquor
Perfect. Now, you are equipped with the phrase ‘I would like’ in Italian and ready to navigate cafés, restaurants, and any setting where you need to make a request. Not only will this make your experience smoother, but it will also allow you to connect with locals politely.
Now that you know how to order beverages, how about learning how to order food in Italian? Check out the blog post and podcast we prepared to help you on your next adventure abroad!
