I wrote yesterday about how “more coffee” are two of the most beautiful words in the English language. Because it’s true: there’s nothing that brings me more joy than being in a restaurant and having someone come over with a freshly brewed pot and saying “More coffee?” Yes please!
But then it occurred to me: the idea of “more coffee” is universal. So it would be beautiful in any language.
However, I really don’t have much knowledge of languages other than English. I have my high-school French, some Italian, and Spanish gleaned from watching Sesame Street and reading the Spanish ads on the subways. So I’m guessing on these—don’t hesitate to correct me if these are wrong:
Italian: più di caffè
Spanish: más café
French: plus de café
How do you say “more coffee” in other languages? German? Russian? Yiddish? Chinese? Lao? Bantu? Hindi? Etc etc etc?
Bonus points for knowing how to say it in languages not often heard, like Basque, Irish, Hawaiian, wacky dialects, etc.
I got nothing! lol
That’s okay, I had very little myself!
German might be “meer koffie”
German coffee is supposed to be excellent, too, so it’s good to know how to say you want more of it.
I love it – Sesame Street Spanish – lol!
I’m not even kidding, either– I still remember how to count to 20 in Spanish because of Sesame Street. What a great show that was—and still is.
No clue — a tea drinker over here and “more hot water” over an exhausted wet bag isn’t very romantic at all.
it’s not fair, is it–I always feel bad for tea drinkers, they have to reuse a tea bag while coffee drinkers get a nice fresh cup? That’s discrimination against tea drinkers, and it’s bullshit.
You’ve got that right! Hey, any chance you’ll consider entering the mayor’s race? You own my vote!
“Hey, toots. Fill er up” Brassy New York speak.
Why haven’t I tried this one out myself? I’ll have to do that at lunch today and see what happens.
A woman after my own over-caffienated heart. Me in the morning: Don’t even look at me until I’ve had my coffee. Spanish: Quisiera un cappuccino doble, por favor. (I’d like a double cappuccino please).
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Wow, that’s a fancy Spanish one. Nice!
I’m pretty sure it’s “mehr Kaffee” in German, but holding up your empty cup and looking really sad works just about anywhere.
I think you’re right—THAT’S probably the universal sign for “more coffee please.”
I’m a “regular” at a local establishment. Being a “regular” comes with some perks, no pun intended. When they see my car pull into the parking lot they get my coffee ready. I’ve got them trained like Pavlov’s dog. (Or, maybe they have ME trained…? Hmm….?)
Either way, it sounds like you’ve got quite a nice arrangement there! I’m envious!
Oremay offeekay! Pig latin! Tee hee!
hahahahahahahaha
Pig Latin! Now there’s a language that needs to be resurrected. Icenay!
Yes!
You already got my two languages (Italian & Spanish) but yes, more coffee please!
More coffee comin’ right up!
Lovely!
My husband roasts our coffee! It’s awesome! But, sadly, all I know is Spanish. So, mas cafe, por favor is the best I can do. Y yo me gusta con crema, tambien.
My God, woman, you’re the luckiest person alive. I wonder if I can persuade Mr. Weebles to roast my coffee for me. Probably not.
y me gusta cafe con crema tambien!
This doesn’t happen in the UK, unless you pay for the extra coffee.
You can imagine how unhappy/shocked I was when I discovered this the hard way. Two charges for coffee on my bill at some random place in Camden. That was my lesson learned.
In the south it goes like this: “Sugar, you need ‘nother cup?” “Yes, ma’am, I surely do.” All joy in coffee! HF
And do the waitresses down there all have perfect waitress names like Betty and Mary Lou? Because that’s what I picture. That probably makes the coffee taste even better.
From a very non-scientific survey, I’m thinking the number one name is Sue. Joan seems to be popular, too. HF
Sorry, Pig Latin is the best I can do, too. But waving a full pot of coffee in the general direction of your cup should be universal sign language, shouldn’t it?
I think so—it’s nice that in the absence of a common spoken language, the concept of “more coffee” can be expressed in many ways. It really is universal. It’s a beautiful thing.
I think we should have a virtual cafe gathering!
This is the best suggestion I’ve heard all day.
What is truly sad, however, is that I’ve never had a waitress say “more chocolate?”.
That’s very true! We’ll have to look into enacting worldwide legislation to change that.
I can say it in kiwi (more coffee aye) and aussie (more coffee mate)
Those are excellent submissions. Thank you for making sure the Southern Hemisphere was represented!