French Phrase
Tu veux un autre café ?
Meaning
Literally, “Do you want another coffee?” It is a friendly, informal way to ask someone if they’d like a second cup of coffee, often after they have already finished one.
When to use
Use this phrase in casual settings – at home, in a café with a familiar barista, or when chatting with friends or family. It is too informal for a formal business meeting or when speaking to strangers you should address with ‘vous’.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Tuveuxunautrecafé?
Subject pronoun (Tu)
‘Tu’ is the informal second‑person singular pronoun used with friends, family, or people you know well.
Verb ‘vouloir’ (veux)
‘Vouloir’ means ‘to want’. In the present tense, the ‘tu’ form is ‘veux’ (pronounced /vø/).
Indefinite article (un)
‘Un’ is the masculine singular indefinite article, matching the gender of ‘café’.
Adjective ‘autre’
‘Autre’ means ‘another’ or ‘other’. It does not change form for gender or number.
Noun (café)
‘Café’ is a masculine noun meaning ‘coffee’ (the drink) or ‘coffee shop’ depending on context.
Question intonation
In spoken French, a rising intonation at the end of the sentence signals a yes/no question; the written question mark reinforces this.
🗨In Conversation
Tu veux un autre café ?
Do you want another coffee?
Oui, merci ! J’en prends un autre, s’il te plaît.
Yes, thanks! I’ll have another, please.
✕Common Mistakes
Tu veux une autre café ?
‘Café’ is masculine, so the correct article is ‘un’, not ‘une’.
Tu voulais un autre café ?
‘Voulais’ is the imperfect tense; the present ‘veux’ is needed for a real‑time offer.
Tu veux un autres café ?
‘Autre’ does not change for gender or number; ‘autres’ would imply plural coffees.
Vous veux un autre café ?
Using ‘vous’ with ‘tu’ mixes registers. Choose either the informal ‘tu…’ or the formal ‘vous…’.
↔Alternatives
Tu désires un autre café ?
Do you desire another coffee?
Vous voulez un autre café ?
Do you want another coffee? (formal/plural)
Tu prends un autre café ?
Are you having another coffee?
Un autre café, ça te dit ?
Would another coffee do you?
Cultural Tip
In France, coffee is usually served as a small, strong espresso. When you ask for “un autre café”, the listener will assume you want the same style unless you specify otherwise (e.g., “un autre café au lait”). Also, it’s common to offer a second coffee after a meal, but it’s polite to decline if you’re not thirsty – saying “non, merci” is perfectly acceptable.