Portuguese Phrase
Quer mais um café?
Meaning
This phrase is a common and polite way to offer someone a second (or more) cup of coffee. It literally translates to "Want more a coffee?" but is understood as "Do you want another coffee?" or "Would you like more coffee?". It's an informal yet friendly offer.
When to use
You would typically use this phrase in a casual setting, such as at home, with friends, or in a relaxed office environment. It's perfect when you're hosting someone and notice their cup is empty, or simply want to be hospitable and offer a refill.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Quermaisumcafé
Quer (Querer)
This is the conjugated form of the verb 'querer' (to want) for 'você' (you, singular informal) or 'ele/ela' (he/she). In informal Brazilian Portuguese, the subject pronoun 'você' is often omitted, making 'Quer' a direct and common way to ask 'Do you want?'.
mais um
'Mais' means 'more', and 'um' means 'a' or 'one'. Together, 'mais um' literally translates to 'more one' but is used to mean 'another' when referring to a singular item. It specifies that you're offering an additional item of the same kind.
café
This word means 'coffee'. It's a masculine noun, hence the use of the masculine indefinite article 'um'. Coffee is a staple in Portuguese-speaking cultures, and offering it is a common gesture of hospitality.
🗨In Conversation
Seu café acabou. Quer mais um café?
Your coffee is finished. Do you want another coffee?
Ah, sim, por favor! Adoraria.
Oh, yes, please! I'd love one.
✕Common Mistakes
Você quer mais um café?
While grammatically correct, using 'Você quer' can sound slightly more direct or less natural in informal offers. Brazilians often omit the subject pronoun 'você' when the context is clear, making the phrase sound more fluid and natural.
Quer mais café?
Omitting 'um' (a/an) makes it sound like you're asking if they want more coffee in general, rather than another cup. While understandable, 'mais um café' specifically implies 'another cup of coffee'.
↔Alternatives
Aceita mais um café?
Do you accept another coffee?
Gostaria de mais café?
Would you like more coffee?
Mais um café?
Another coffee?
Cultural Tip
Offering coffee is a deeply ingrained part of Brazilian and Portuguese hospitality. It's common to be offered coffee upon arrival at someone's home or even during a business meeting. Refusing is perfectly fine, but accepting is a nice way to engage. This phrase reflects the warmth and generosity often found in these cultures.