“Excuse me, I didn’t order this” is the phrase you need when the waiter brings the wrong drink. It is polite, calm and short, and it opens a simple conversation you can follow step by step.
How to say “I didn’t order this” politely
Use Excuse me, I didn’t order this. The Ukrainian line this dialogue is built on, «Вибачте, я цього не замовляв», is said by a man; a woman would say «не замовляла». In English the verb form is the same for everyone. For a closely related phrase, see I didn’t order this.
- Excuse me, I didn’t order this.A polite way to point out the mistake.
- Sorry, this isn’t my order.Slightly more apologetic, also natural.
- I think this is someone else’s.Use it when the drink may belong to another guest.
Excuse me gets attention and points to a problem without blame. Sorry is an apology, so it fits better when the mistake is yours.
What did you order?
The waiter replies: Oh, I’m sorry. What did you order? (in Ukrainian, «А що ви замовляли?»). Questions about the past use did plus the base form of the verb: What did you order?, not What you ordered? Your answer names the drink with a, because it is one cup: A flat white with almond milk, please.
- What did you order?The waiter is asking what the customer actually ordered.
- A flat white with almond milk, please.Naming your drink clearly fixes the mix-up.
To go or stay here?
Next the waiter asks Do you want it to go or stay here? To go means you take it away; stay here means you sit in the café. Got it! shows they have understood. Your reply: To go, please. I’m in a hurry. («З собою, будь ласка. Я поспішаю.»). For more on takeaway orders, see Can I get this to go?
- For here or to go?A shorter version of the same question, common in American English.
- To go, please. I’m in a hurry.Take it away, you’re short on time.
Common mistakes
- I didn’t ordered this. → I didn’t order this. After did, the verb stays in its base form.
- I’m hurry. → I’m in a hurry. Here “hurry” is a noun, so you need in a.
- What you ordered? → What did you order? Questions use did, and the word order changes.
- Ukrainian has «замовляв» and «замовляла»; in English it is always I ordered, because the past tense doesn’t change for gender.
Check yourself
Say it in English, then reveal the answer:
1.Ask a friend what they ordered.
Answer
What did you order?
2.Tell the waiter you want your coffee to go, because you’re in a hurry.
Answer
To go, please. I’m in a hurry.
3.Politely tell the waiter this isn’t your order.
Answer
Excuse me, I didn’t order this.
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