How do you order Vietnamese coffee, and what will they ask?
Expect to hear Anh uống gì ạ? (ang oo-ong zee ah, "What would you like to drink?"), Uống đây hay mang đi? (oo-ong day hai mahng dee, "Drink here or take away?"). Useful things to say: Em ơi! (em uh-ee, "Excuse me! (calling the server)") and Cho tôi một cà phê sữa đá. (chaw toy moht gah feh suh-ah dah, "One iced coffee with milk, please").
The whole conversation: Vietnamese coffee
A street café with tiny plastic stools. Strong coffee, condensed milk, lots of ice.
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You say
Em ơi! em uh-ee Excuse me! (calling the server)
The single most useful phrase in a café or restaurant. Say it to anyone younger than you.
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You hear
Anh uống gì ạ? ang oo-ong zee ah What would you like to drink?
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You say
Cho tôi một cà phê sữa đá. chaw toy moht gah feh suh-ah dah One iced coffee with milk, please.
Cho tôi + anything is how you order. No "please" needed.
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You say
Ít đường thôi. it doo-ung toy Just a little sugar.
Đường also means road. Context does the rest.
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You hear
Uống đây hay mang đi? oo-ong day hai mahng dee Drink here or take away?
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You say
Một cà phê muối nữa. moht gah feh moo-ee nuh-ah One more salt coffee.
Cà phê muối, coffee with salted cream, is from nearby Huế. Try it.
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You say
Em ơi, tính tiền! em uh-ee, tin tee-en The bill, please!
Thank you. Your answer is saved with this scene so we can fix lines that sound off.
Questions about this scene
How do you order Vietnamese coffee, and what will they ask?
Expect to hear Anh uống gì ạ? (ang oo-ong zee ah, "What would you like to drink?"), Uống đây hay mang đi? (oo-ong day hai mahng dee, "Drink here or take away?"). Useful things to say: Em ơi! (em uh-ee, "Excuse me! (calling the server)") and Cho tôi một cà phê sữa đá. (chaw toy moht gah feh suh-ah dah, "One iced coffee with milk, please").
What does "Anh uống gì ạ?" mean in Vietnamese?
It means "What would you like to drink?". It is pronounced ang oo-ong zee ah. A natural reply is Cho tôi một cà phê sữa đá. (chaw toy moht gah feh suh-ah dah), "One iced coffee with milk, please".
What does "Uống đây hay mang đi?" mean in Vietnamese?
It means "Drink here or take away?". It is pronounced oo-ong day hai mahng dee. A natural reply is Một cà phê muối nữa. (moht gah feh moo-ee nuh-ah), "One more salt coffee".