me da
/me da/from spelling rules
The English phrase "may I have" can be translated into Spanish as me da.
me da is a polite way to ask someone to give you something. It is commonly used in service settings, such as ordering food in a restaurant or asking for a receipt.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase literally translates to "to me he/she/it gives" or "to me you (formal) give".
How do you pronounce it?
/me da/
What mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid using the literal translation of the English phrase "I can have", such as Yo puedo tener, as this sounds unnatural in Spanish when requesting an item.
Did you know?
- In many Latin American countries, you can replace me da with me trae (bring me) or me regala (gift me) to be even more polite when ordering.
- In some Spanish-speaking countries, people may use the verb poner (to put) instead of dar (to give) when ordering food, as in me pone, implying 'put this on my plate'.
- The verb dar is so versatile that me da can also be used idiomatically to describe a feeling, such as me da miedo, meaning 'it gives me fear' or 'I am afraid'.
Examples in context
- ¿Me das una de estas?May I have one of these?This sentence is useful for asking for one of several items using me da.Tatoeba #5566666 by swyter, translation #5282481 by CK
- ¿Me da una factura?May I have a receipt?This sentence is useful for requesting a receipt using me da.Tatoeba #639769 by darinmex, translation #325903 by CK
- ¿Me da el menú, por favor?May I have the menu, please?This sentence is useful for asking for a menu using me da.Tatoeba #711072 by darinmex, translation #31785 by CK
- ¿Podría darme un vaso de agua, por favor?May I have a glass of water, please?
- ¿Podría darme la carta del menú?Can you give me the menu, please?
- ¿Podría darme un poco más de azúcar?Could you give me some more sugar?
- ¿Me podría dar la cuenta, por favor?Could you give me the bill, please?
- ¿Me podría dar los cubiertos, por favor?Could you give me the utensils, please?
- ¿Me podría dar información sobre los trenes?Could you give me information about the trains?
- ¿Sería tan amable de darme una servilleta, por favor?Would you be so kind as to give me a napkin, please?
- ¿Me das un bolígrafo, por favor?Can you give me a pen, please?
- ¿Me das un poco de tu postre?Can I have some of your dessert?
- ¿Puedo tomar un refresco?Can I have a soda?
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
At a cafe, Alejandro is ordering from Elena.
- AlejandroHola, Elena. ¿Me da un café, por favor?Hello, Elena. May I have a coffee, please?
- ElenaClaro que sí, Alejandro. ¿Algo más?Of course, Alejandro. Anything else?
- Alejandro¿Me da también un poco de azúcar?May I also have a little sugar?
- ElenaSí, ahora mismo se lo traigo.Yes, I will bring it to you right now.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
