Target Vocabulary
La carta - The menuPedir - To orderQuisiera - I would like (polite)Para beber - To drinkAgua con gas - Sparkling waterTinto de verano - Red wine spritzerDe primero - For the first courseDe segundo - For the second coursePostre - DessertLa cuenta - The bill¿Qué me recomienda? - What do you recommend?Soy vegetariano/a - I am vegetarian
Example Dialogue
Camarero: ¡Hola! ¿Tienen mesa para dos? (friendly tone) Cliente: Sí, por favor. Una mesa para dos. (polite, looking around) Camarero: Por aquí, por favor. (gestures to a table) Aquí tienen la carta. (hands over menus) Cliente: Gracias. (takes menu) Camarero: ¿Están listos para pedir? (patiently) Cliente: Sí, yo quisiera la tortilla española de primero. (decisively) Camarero: Muy bien. ¿Y de segundo? (writing) Cliente: De segundo, la paella de marisco, por favor. (points to menu) Camarero: Excelente elección. ¿Y para beber? (expectant) Cliente: Un agua con gas. (simple request) Camarero: Perfecto. ¿Algo más? (waiting) Cliente: No, gracias. Eso es todo. (satisfied) Camarero: De acuerdo. Enseguida traigo su agua. (walks away)
Drills
Drill 1: Standard Exchange
Instructions: Practice as the Customer first, then as the Waiter.
Customer: Camarero: ¡Hola! ¿Qué desea pedir? (friendly, ready to take order) YOU (Customer): (Ask for the menu politely)
Camarero: Aquí tiene la carta. (hands over menu) YOU (Customer): (Order a salad as your main course)
Waiter: Cliente: ¡Hola! ¿Tienen una mesa para uno? (polite, looking) YOU (Waiter): (Offer a table, pointing)
Cliente: Gracias. (sits) YOU (Waiter): (Ask if they are ready to order, patiently)
Drill 2: Stretch Variation
Instructions: Practice as the Customer first, then as the Waiter.
Customer: Camarero: ¿Qué va a tomar de beber? (expectant) YOU (Customer): (Say you are vegetarian and ask for a recommendation for a main course)
Camarero: Claro, tenemos las verduras a la plancha. (suggesting) YOU (Customer): (Confirm that sounds good)
Waiter: Cliente: ¡Hola! Quisiera pedir, por favor. (calling attention) YOU (Waiter): (Ask what they would like for the first course)
Cliente: ¿Qué me recomienda que no sea muy pesado? (asking for light option) YOU (Waiter): (Suggest the "sopa del día")
Production Task
Imagine you are at a "chiringuito" (beach bar) ordering "tapas." Create a short dialogue (3-5 exchanges) between yourself and the waiter. Incorporate at least two new vocabulary items from the "Target Vocabulary" list (e.g., tinto de verano, la cuenta).
Self-Check
- How would you politely ask for the bill in Spanish?
- What phrase would you use to express "I would like..." when ordering?
- Imagine you are the waiter; how would you ask a customer, "What would you like to drink?"
- If you are vegetarian, how would you communicate this to the waiter in Spanish?