REAL LIFE KOREAN · READ IT. HEAR IT. USE IT.
Korean café phrases you’ll actually hear
Ordering coffee is only the first part of a café visit. The next question may be about where you will drink it or how to collect your order. Start with these short exchanges.
What does 매장에서 드세요? mean?
매장에서 드세요?
For here? / Will you have it here?
At a café, this asks whether you will stay rather than take your order away. 매장 means the shop or premises, and 드세요 uses the polite verb for eating or drinking. It is a question here, not an instruction to eat.
Try this reply
네, 매장에서 마실게요.
Yes, I’ll drink it here.
How do you ask for coffee to go in Korean?
포장해 주세요.
To go, please.
포장 means packaging. This short request works for takeaway drinks and food. You may also hear 포장이세요? asking whether your order is to go.
Try this reply
네, 포장해 주세요.
Yes, to go, please.
What does 진동벨로 알려드릴게요 mean?
진동벨로 알려드릴게요.
We’ll let you know with a buzzer.
The staff member is explaining how you will know your order is ready. 진동벨 is a vibrating pager. Keep it with you and return it when collecting your order; follow the staff member’s instructions.
Try this reply
네, 감사합니다.
Okay, thank you.
Try it in your next conversation
Read each question, cover the English, then say whether you will stay or take your drink away. These are written practice examples; an audio recording is not included on this page.