Ordering the same thing as the person next to you is a common café situation, and English has a short phrase for it: I’ll take the same, please.
How to say it: I’ll take the same, please
The most natural choice is I’ll take the same, please. Here the same works as a pronoun: it stands in for a dish or drink you don’t need to name again. «Те саме» does the same job in Ukrainian. In messages you’ll often see pls, a short form of please; out loud, say it in full.
- I’ll take the same, please.The standard way to order the same as before.
- She ordered a cheesecake. I’ll take the same.Refers back to something that was just mentioned.
- The same for me, please.A short version with the verb left out, very common in cafés.
Ukrainian «я візьму те саме» works without an article, but in English the article stays: I’ll take the same, not I’ll take same.
Why will, not going to?
We use will for a decision made at the moment of speaking. When you look at the menu and choose, that’s exactly the case.
- I’ll take — a decision made right now (Ukrainian: «я візьму»).
- I’m going to take — a plan made before the conversation. It’s possible, but it suggests you had already decided before you got to the counter.
You’ll also hear I’ll have… in restaurants, which is equally natural. For most orders on the spot, I’ll is the safest choice.
Other ways to say “the same”
- Make that two.Used when you want two of the same item.
- I’ll have the same as her.Pointing to a specific person’s order.
- I’ll have the same, but with oat milk.The same order with one change.
Common mistakes
- Leaving out the article: I’ll take same should be I’ll take the same.
- I want the same is grammatical, but it can sound blunt in a café. I’ll take… or I’ll have… is more polite.
More café phrases: a latte to go and asking for something sweet.
Check yourself
Say it in English, then reveal the answer:
1.Make that two, please — two of the same drink.
Answer
Make that two, please.
2.You want the same drink as your friend, and you want to keep it short.
Answer
Same for me, please.
3.Your friend ordered a cheesecake. You want the same.
Answer
She ordered a cheesecake. I’ll take the same.
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