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Common waiter question
Contexte culturel
In Czech pubs, service can be very direct. Don't be offended if the waiter just says 'Co si dáte?' without a long introduction. It's not rudeness, it's efficiency. Slovak uses the identical phrase 'Čo si dáte?'. The cultural norms regarding 'Vykání' (formal address) are very similar to the Czech Republic. The 'V-form' (polite address) is a cornerstone of Central European etiquette. Using the wrong form of 'dát' can immediately mark you as an outsider or someone who lacks manners. In Prague, you might hear more elaborate versions like 'Co si budete přát?'. In village pubs, 'Co si dáte?' is the absolute king of phrases.
The 'K' Rule
When asking 'What will you have FOR [something]?', use the preposition 'k' followed by the dative case. e.g., 'k pití' (for drink), 'k obědu' (for lunch).
Don't forget the 'si'!
Without 'si', you are asking what the person is giving away. It's the most common mistake for beginners.
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Common waiter question
The 'K' Rule
When asking 'What will you have FOR [something]?', use the preposition 'k' followed by the dative case. e.g., 'k pití' (for drink), 'k obědu' (for lunch).
Don't forget the 'si'!
Without 'si', you are asking what the person is giving away. It's the most common mistake for beginners.
Listen for the 'A vy?'
Waiters often ask the first person 'Co si dáte?' and then just look at the next person and say 'A vy?' (And you?).
Eye Contact
When a waiter asks 'Co si dáte?', it's polite to make brief eye contact to show you are ready.
Teste-toi
Choose the most appropriate phrase for a waiter to use in a standard restaurant.
A waiter approaches a table of two adults. What does he say?
'Co si dáte?' is the correct formal/polite version for a service context.
Complete the phrase with the correct reflexive pronoun.
Co ___ dáte k pití?
The reflexive dative 'si' is required for the idiom 'dát si' (to have/order).
Match the phrase to the correct social situation.
Match: 1. Co si dáte? 2. Co si dáš?
Formal 'dáte' for customers, informal 'dáš' for friends.
Complete the dialogue between a waiter and a guest.
Waiter: Dobrý den. Máte vybráno? Guest: Ano. Waiter: A ___ ___ ___?
This is the standard follow-up after 'Máte vybráno?'.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Formal vs. Informal Ordering
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesA waiter approaches a table of two adults. What does he say?
'Co si dáte?' is the correct formal/polite version for a service context.
Co ___ dáte k pití?
The reflexive dative 'si' is required for the idiom 'dát si' (to have/order).
Match: 1. Co si dáte? 2. Co si dáš?
Formal 'dáte' for customers, informal 'dáš' for friends.
Waiter: Dobrý den. Máte vybráno? Guest: Ano. Waiter: A ___ ___ ___?
This is the standard follow-up after 'Máte vybráno?'.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsUsually no. In a shop, they say 'Co si přejete?' (What do you wish?) or 'Můžu vám pomoct?' (Can I help you?). 'Co si dáte?' is specifically for food/drink.
The easiest way is 'Dám si...' followed by your order in the accusative case. e.g., 'Dám si pivo.'
Yes, significantly. 'Co chcete?' sounds like 'What do you want?' in a demanding way. 'Co si dáte?' is the professional standard.
The waiter will still say 'Co si dáte?' to the group because 'dáte' is also the plural 'you'.
'Dáte' is perfective, focusing on the single act of ordering now. 'Dáváte' is imperfective and sounds like a question about your habits.
Yes, if you are offering them a coffee or a snack. It is very polite.
In very casual bars, you might just hear 'Co to bude?' (What will it be?).
In this context, yes. It's a reflexive dative indicating the beneficiary of the action.
The past tense is 'Co jste si dali?' (What did you have?).
Constantly! Any scene in a pub or restaurant will feature this phrase.
Expressions liées
Dám si...
builds onI will have...
Máte vybráno?
similarHave you chosen?
Co si dáš?
specialized formWhat will you have? (Informal)
Dobrou chuť!
similarEnjoy your meal!
Zaplatím!
contrastI will pay!
