¿puedo tomar su orden?
The English phrase "can I take your order?" is translated into Spanish as ¿puedo tomar su orden?
This phrase is used specifically in a service context, such as in a restaurant or cafe, to initiate the ordering process by asking a customer what food or drink they want to buy.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is a literal translation where puedo means 'can I', tomar means 'take', su means 'your' and orden means 'order'.
Which one should you use?
While ¿puedo tomar su orden? is a direct translation, other common forms include ¿Puedo tomar su pedido? and ¿Puedo tomar tu pedido?
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
In a professional service setting, using su instead of tu makes the question polite and professional. To be formal, you can use ¿Puedo tomar su pedido? or ¿Puedo tomar su orden? For an informal setting, you can use ¿Puedo tomar tu pedido?
How does it change in a sentence?
In formal Spanish, su is used to address someone politely to mean 'your'. The word pedido specifically means 'order'.
Did you know?
- Depending on the region, a server might avoid ¿puedo tomar su orden? entirely and instead use the phrase ¿qué le pongo?, which literally means 'what shall I put for you?'
- The word tomar is used here for 'taking' an order, but in many Spanish-speaking countries it is also the primary verb used for drinking alcohol.
- The word orden and the English word 'order' share a common ancestor in the Latin word ōrdinem, which referred to a sequence or arrangement.
Examples in context
- Buenas tardes, ¿puedo tomar su orden?Good afternoon, can I take your order?
- Disculpe, ¿puedo tomar su orden?Excuse me, can I take your order?
Example conversation
A waiter approaches a customer at a restaurant table.
- JavierHola, ¿puedo tomar su orden?Hello, can I take your order?
- ElenaSí, quiero una ensalada, por favor.Yes, I want a salad, please.
- Javier¿Desea algo de beber, Elena?Would you like something to drink, Elena?
- ElenaUn vaso de agua está bien.A glass of water is fine.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries orden, su, tomar, CC BY-SA 4.0.
