Coffee
A coffee with milk. The most common way to order a milky coffee.
A small black coffee. This is the standard term in Colombia.
An espresso 'cut' with a small amount of steamed milk. Stronger than a 'café con leche'.
An Americano. An espresso shot with hot water added. Similar to a drip coffee.
I want a coffee, please.
Can you give me a coffee with milk to go?
Two black coffees and one water, please.
Morning coffee is my favorite.
Crucially, 'tinto' is the word for a small, black coffee. If you ask for 'un café', they might assume you want 'café con leche' (coffee with milk).
In Spain, 'un café solo' is a small, strong black coffee (an espresso). 'Un cortado' is very popular, and 'un café con leche' is standard. 'Americano' is also understood.
'Café de olla' is a traditional style, brewed with cinnamon and piloncillo (raw cane sugar). 'Café americano' is the common term for a standard black, filtered coffee.
'Un cortado' is extremely common, often served in a small glass. It has less milk than a 'café con leche'.
A 'cafecito' or 'café cubano' is a small but very strong and sweet espresso shot, a cultural staple.
Saying 'una café'. — Always say 'un café'. The word 'café' is masculine in Spanish, so it uses the article 'un' (a) or 'el' (the).
Pronouncing it 'caff-AY'. — The 'a' in 'café' sounds like the 'a' in 'car' or 'father'. The stress is on the second syllable: kah-FEH.
Just ordering 'un café' and expecting a large, drip coffee. — In many countries, 'un café' by itself means a small espresso. Be specific: ask for 'un americano' for a larger, less concentrated coffee, or 'un café con leche' if you want milk.
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