Ordering Food and Drinks
Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
Use 'Molim' (Please) and the verb 'Htjeti' (To want) to order food like a local.
- Use 'Ja bih...' (I would like...) for polite requests: 'Ja bih kavu.'
- Always add 'Molim' at the end: 'Kavu, molim.'
- Use 'Imate li...?' to ask if something is available: 'Imate li pizzu?'
Conditional 'Htjeti' (To want)
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
|
Ja
|
bih
|
|
Ti
|
bi
|
|
On/Ona
|
bi
|
|
Mi
|
bismo
|
|
Vi
|
biste
|
|
Oni/One
|
bi
|
Meanings
This structure is used to express desire or request items in a service environment.
Polite Request
Expressing a desire for an item.
“Ja bih vodu.”
“Ja bih sendvič.”
Inquiry
Asking for availability.
“Imate li kavu?”
“Imate li jelovnik?”
Reference Table
| Form | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
|
Affirmative
|
Ja bih + [Item]
|
Ja bih kavu.
|
|
Polite
|
Ja bih + [Item] + molim
|
Ja bih kavu, molim.
|
|
Question
|
Imate li + [Item]?
|
Imate li kavu?
|
|
Group
|
Za nas + [Item]
|
Za nas dvije kave.
|
|
Recommendation
|
Što biste preporučili?
|
Što biste preporučili?
|
|
Bill
|
Račun, molim.
|
Račun, molim.
|
طيف الرسمية
Bih li mogao dobiti jednu kavu, molim? (Cafe)
Ja bih kavu, molim. (Cafe)
Kavu, molim. (Cafe)
Jednu kavu, može? (Cafe)
Ordering Flow
Polite
- Ja bih I would like
Inquiry
- Imate li Do you have
أمثلة حسب المستوى
Ja bih kavu, molim.
I would like a coffee, please.
Ja bih vodu.
I would like water.
Kavu, molim.
Coffee, please.
Imate li pizzu?
Do you have pizza?
Ja bih jednu kavu s mlijekom.
I would like one coffee with milk.
Imate li možda jelovnik?
Do you perhaps have a menu?
Za mene pivo, molim.
For me, a beer, please.
Ja bih dva sendviča.
I would like two sandwiches.
Bih li mogao dobiti račun, molim?
Could I get the bill, please?
Što biste preporučili?
What would you recommend?
Ja bih radije čaj nego kavu.
I would rather have tea than coffee.
Može li jedna kava bez šećera?
Can I have one coffee without sugar?
Biste li bili ljubazni donijeti nam još kruha?
Would you be so kind as to bring us more bread?
Zanima me imate li kakvih vegetarijanskih opcija?
I am interested in whether you have any vegetarian options?
Bih li mogao zamoliti za čašu vina?
Could I ask for a glass of wine?
Biste li mogli provjeriti je li ovo jelo sadrži orašaste plodove?
Could you check if this dish contains nuts?
Bih li se usudio zamoliti za preporuku lokalnog specijaliteta?
Might I venture to ask for a recommendation of a local specialty?
Biste li bili voljni prilagoditi ovo jelo mojim dijetalnim potrebama?
Would you be willing to adapt this dish to my dietary needs?
Cijenio bih kada biste mogli donijeti još malo maslinovog ulja.
I would appreciate it if you could bring a little more olive oil.
Postoji li mogućnost da dobijem jelo bez glutena?
Is there a possibility to get a gluten-free dish?
Bih li smio zatražiti da se ovo jelo pripremi s manje soli?
Might I request that this dish be prepared with less salt?
Biste li bili toliko susretljivi da nam preporučite vino koje bi se sljubilo s ovim jelom?
Would you be so accommodating as to recommend a wine that would pair with this dish?
Bih li mogao dobiti uvid u vašu vinsku kartu?
Could I have a look at your wine list?
Biste li bili ljubazni provjeriti dostupnost stola za večeras?
Would you be so kind as to check the availability of a table for tonight?
سهل الخلط
Both express desire.
أخطاء شائعة
Ja želim kavu.
Ja bih kavu, molim.
Imam kavu?
Imate li kavu?
Bih kavu.
Ja bih kavu.
Želio bih kavu.
Ja bih kavu.
أنماط الجُمل
Ja bih ___, molim.
Real World Usage
Ja bih kavu.
Smile
Smart Tips
Always add molim.
النطق
Bih
Pronounced like 'bee-h'.
Rising
Imate li kavu? ↑
Question intonation.
احفظها
وسيلة تذكّر
Think 'Bih' as 'Bee'. I want to 'bee' polite, so I say 'Ja bih'.
ربط بصري
Imagine a bee wearing a waiter's apron serving you a coffee.
Rhyme
Ja bih kavu, molim, to je ono što volim.
Story
Mark walks into a cafe. He smiles and says 'Ja bih kavu'. The waiter smiles back. Mark adds 'molim'. He gets his coffee quickly.
Word Web
تحدٍّ
Go to a cafe (or pretend) and order three different items using 'Ja bih' and 'molim'.
ملاحظات ثقافية
Coffee culture is huge. Take your time.
Conditional mood from Proto-Slavic.
بدايات محادثة
Što želite popiti?
مواضيع للكتابة اليومية
أخطاء شائعة
Test Yourself
Ja bih ___.
Score: /1
تمارين تطبيقية
1 exercisesJa bih ___.
Score: /1
الأسئلة الشائعة (1)
It is the conditional form.
Scaffolded Practice
1
Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
Quisiera
Croatian uses 'bih' (would be).
Je voudrais
Croatian is more concise.
Ich möchte
Croatian uses conditional auxiliary.
Kudasai
Croatian uses verb conjugation.
Ureed
Croatian is more indirect.
Wo yao
Croatian conjugates for person.
