posso ordinare, per favore
The English phrase "can I please order" is translated into Italian as posso ordinare, per favore.
This phrase is used to signal to a waiter that you have finished looking at the menu and are ready to make your selection.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of posso (I can/may), ordinare (to order) and per favore (please).
Which one should you use?
While posso ordinare, per favore is a standard polite way to request, you can also use Vorrei ordinare, per favore (I would like to order, please) as a common alternative. For more formal situations, you might use Potrei ordinare, per cortesia? or Mi scusi, posso fare un ordine?
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Adding per favore at the end of the phrase makes the request polite and suitable for a restaurant setting. For more formal interactions, use Potrei ordinare, per cortesia? or Mi scusi, posso fare un ordine?
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb ordinare remains in the infinitive form because it follows the conjugated modal verb posso.
Did you know?
- While ordinare means 'to order', it also means 'to tidy up' or 'to arrange'. If you tell someone devo ordinare la camera, you are saying you need to clean your room, not order food.
- In many Italian restaurants, you do not actually need to say posso ordinare to get a waiter's attention. It is perfectly acceptable and very common to simply make eye contact or slightly raise a hand to signal you are ready.
- When you are ready to order, you might be presented with 'il fuori carta', which are delicious dishes that do not even appear on the printed menu.
Examples in context
- Buongiorno, posso ordinare, per cortesia?Good morning, can I please order?
- Ciao, posso fare un ordine, per piacere?Hi, can I please order?
- Siamo pronti, posso ordinare, per favore?We are ready, can I please order?
Example conversation
Chiara and Francesco are sitting at a restaurant table.
- ChiaraScusi, posso ordinare, per favore?Excuse me, can I please order?
- FrancescoCertamente, cosa desidera?Certainly, what would you like?
- ChiaraVorrei una pizza Margherita.I would like a Margherita pizza.
- FrancescoOttima scelta, arrivo subito.Great choice, I'll be right back.
