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Learning local phrases is a small gesture that goes a long way in fostering cultural appreciation.

From raising a glass to that obligatory pre-flight pint to treating yourself to the range of unbeatable offers on alcohol at Duty Free, it’s no myth that Brits love to drink to their heart’s content while on holiday. 

That said, perhaps one of the most important things to learn before visiting another country is how to order your favourite drink in the native language. 

With this in mind, the language experts at Preply have revealed the different ways one can speak like a local, when ordering a beverage at their European holiday destination this summer. 

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Sylvia Johnson, Head of Methodology at Preply, said: “Language is deeply intertwined with culture. By learning even a few basic words or phrases, you demonstrate an interest in and appreciation for the culture of the people you are interacting with. It can help you gain insights into their customs, traditions, and way of life”. 

Pragser Wildsee Italy. Photo by Pietro de Grandi Unsplash
Pragser Wildsee Italy. Photo by Pietro de Grandi Unsplash

Italy

From refreshing aperol spritzes to the finest selection of local beer, the beautiful country of Italy certainly knows how to serve up beverages that are guaranteed to impress. 

In exchange, you may want to impress the locals by ordering your drink in true Italian style. Check out these useful phrases below: 

SayingPronunciation Meaning
Prenderó un piccolo bicchiere di bianco“Pren-dero un pi-colo bicchi-ere di bianco” I will have a small glass of white
Cosa hai alla spina?“Cos hai all-as pi-na?”What do you have on tap?
Prenderó uno spritz “Pren-dero uno spritz ”I’ll take a spritz

Greece 

For those keen to live out their Mamma Mia fantasy this summer, it may be handy to know some of the ways to ask for your favourite drink at a bar in Greece. These sayings can be a tongue-twister, but practice makes perfect. 

SayingPronunciation Meaning
Θα ήθελα έναν καφέ παρακαλώ“Tha-ithela-enan-kafe parakalo”I would like a coffee, please
ένα ποτήρι λευκό κρασί παρακαλώ“Ena-potiri-lefko-krasi-parakalo”A glass of wine, please
Μία μπύρα παρακαλώ“Me-a bee-ra pa-ra-ka-lo”One beer, please
Madrid Spain. Photo by Alex Vasey, Unsplash
Madrid, Spain. Photo by Alex Vasey, Unsplash

Planning a last-minute trip to Greece?

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Where to stay in Greece:

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Spain 

The Spanish are very straight to the point when it comes to asking for things – and drinks are certainly no exception. With this in mind, these sayings will get you talking like a local in no time. 

SayingPronunciation Meaning
Una caña, por favor“Una can-ya por-favor”A small draft beer, please
Quiero una copa de vino tinto “Kiero una copa de vee-no tinto” I want a glass of red wine
Un trago de tequila, por favour“Un tra-go de tequila por favor”A shot of tequila, please. 

Croatia 

As a nation, Croatia embraces beer and wine as integral parts of its drinking culture – with spirits like rakija also thrown in the mix. 

If you want to order a drink in this spectacular country, check out these sayings: 

SayingPronunciation Meaning
Mogu li dobiti pivo“Mo-gu li do-biti pi-vo?”Can I have a beer? 
Mogu li naručiti kavu“Mo-gu li na-ru chi-ti ka-vu”Can I order a coffee? 
Možemo li dobiti bocu vina
“Mo-gemo li do-biti bo-tu vi-na”Can we have a bottle of wine? 

Planning a last-minute trip to Croatia?

Top Experiences and Tours in Croatia:

Where to stay in Croatia:

  • Find accommodation with Booking.com
  • Get a rail pass through Rail Europe
  • Find Bus, Train, and Flight tickets with one search through Omio
Porto, Portugal. Photo by Nick Karvounis, Unsplash
Porto, Portugal. Photo by Nick Karvounis, Unsplash

Portugal 

From its grand architecture to idyllic beaches, Portugal has certainly lots to offer, and this includes the country’s food and drink selection. Luckily for tourists, it’s easy to order a drink when visiting this country. 

SayingPronunciation Meaning
Um café, por favor“Um cafe por-favor” One coffee, please 
Uma cerveja, por favor“Uma cerve-ja por-favor”One beer, please 
Um copo de vinho branco, por favor“Um copo de vin-ho bran-co por favor”One glass of white wine, please

Planning a last-minute trip to Portugal?

Top Experiences and Tours in Portugal:

Where to stay in Portugal:

  • Find accommodation with Booking.com
  • Get a rail pass through Rail Europe
  • Find Bus, Train, and Flight tickets with one search through Omio
Eiffel Tower, Paris, France. Photo by Chris Karidis, Unsplash
Eiffel Tower, Paris, France. Photo by Chris Karidis, Unsplash

France 

When out and about in France, you’ll be pleased to know that ordering a drink at your favourite Instagrammable bar is again nice and simple. You can simply just use the same sentence starter and replace what comes next with your drink of choice. 

SayingPronunciation Meaning
Je voudrais une bière s’il vous plaît“Je vou-dray en bier si-vou-play”I would like a beer, please 
Je voudrais un verre de vin rouge s’il vous plaît “Je vou-dray en ver de van- roug si-vou-play” I would like a red wine, please 
Je voudrais un cognac s’il vous plaît “J vou-dray en cognac si-vou-play” I would like a brandy, please 

Planning a last-minute trip to France?

Top Experiences and Tours in France:

Where to stay in France:

  • Find accommodation with Booking.com
  • Get a rail pass through Rail Europe
  • Find Bus, Train, and Flight tickets with one search through Omio

Czech Republic 

It’s safe to say that there is a booming drinking culture in the Czech Republic, with beer being the national drink. That said, when taking part in a cultural bar crawl down Prague’s Charles River, keep these key phrases in mind: 

SayingPronunciation Meaning
Pivo prosím“Pee-vo pro-seem”A beer, please 
Sklenku bílého vína prosím“Sklen-ku bile-ho vina pro-seem”A glass of white wine, please 
Panák tequily prosím“Pa-nak teq-ily pro-seem”A shot of tequila, please 

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