¿puedo pedir?
In Spanish, 'may I order?' is expressed as ¿puedo pedir?
This phrase is a polite request used by a customer to notify a server that they are ready to buy food or drinks.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the first-person singular form of the verb poder (to be able to/can) and the infinitive pedir (to order/to ask for).
How does it change in a sentence?
If you are dining with a group and want to speak on behalf of everyone, use the first-person plural form ¿podemos pedir? instead of the singular ¿puedo pedir?
When do people say it?
A very common and natural alternative to asking ¿puedo pedir? is to simply state Ya estamos listos (We are ready) to signal the server.
Did you know?
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, servers will not bring the bill until you explicitly ask for it, even if you have finished your meal. It is considered rude for a server to rush a customer by bringing the check prematurely.
- In some Latin American countries, if you are not yet ready to order, you might say estamos viendo, which literally means 'we are seeing'. This tells the server you are still browsing the menu.
- The verb pedir is a cognate of the English word 'petition', as both stem from the Latin 'petere', meaning to seek or request.
Example conversation
A customer is sitting at a table in a cafe and signals the waiter.
- MaríaPerdone, ¿puedo pedir?Excuse me, may I order?
- DanielSí, por supuesto. ¿Qué desea?Yes, of course. What would you like?
- MaríaQuiero un café y un cruasán.I want a coffee and a croissant.
- DanielMuy bien, se lo traigo pronto.Very well, I will bring it to you soon.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries pedir, CC BY-SA 4.0.
