Cafe and restaurant in Latin
A table, the menu, what you cannot eat, and a compliment to the kitchen. Play the ten Latin words against the clock, with a note on how locals really use each one after every answer. All ten are written out below.
All 10 Latin phrases in this lesson
- Mensam duobus, quaesoMEN-sahm DOO-oh-bus KWAY-so
- A table for two
- Catalogum, quaesoka-ta-LO-gum KWAY-so
- The menu, please
- Quid commendas?kwid kom-MEN-das
- What do you recommend?
- Non edo...nohn EH-doh
- I don't eat...
- ...mihi nocetMEE-hee NO-ket
- I'm allergic to...
- CarnesKAR-nes
- Meat
- PullusPOOL-lus
- Chicken
- PiscisPIS-kis
- Fish
- Sapidissimum estsa-pee-DIS-see-mum EST
- It's delicious
- Bene tibi!BEH-neh TI-bee
- Cheers
Mensa (table). Duobus (for two, dative). Latin used taverns (tabernae) rather than fancy restaurants; seating was communal.
Catalogus (catalogue/menu). Roman inns (cauponae) had fixed offerings displayed; no printed menus in classical times. Reconstructed language for modern contexts.
Literally "... harms me".
Carnes (meat, plural form commonly used). Piscis (fish) was expensive and favored by the wealthy. Pulmentarium (side dish, relish) was more common for poor.
Romans loved fish and a fermented fish sauce called garum.
Sapidus (tasty), sapidissimus (most delicious). Dulcis (sweet) for desserts. Romans expressed appreciation directly but less elaborately than moderns.
Literally "good to you!", the Roman toast.