Spanish Phrase
¿Nos tomamos un café la semana que viene?
Meaning
Literally, “Shall we have a coffee next week?” It is a friendly invitation to meet for coffee sometime during the upcoming week. The question form makes it polite and collaborative.
When to use
Use this phrase when you want to propose a casual meeting with a friend, colleague, or acquaintance. It works well in informal settings, but it is also acceptable in semi‑formal contexts such as a brief coffee catch‑up with a business partner.
✦Grammar Breakdown
¿Nostomamosuncafélasemanaqueviene?
Pronoun 'nos'
The pronoun 'nos' is a first‑person plural object pronoun meaning 'us' or 'each other' and is placed before the verb.
Verb 'tomar' (nos tomamos)
Here 'tomar' is used in the present indicative, 1st person plural, to suggest a future plan in a polite, informal way.
Future reference with present tense
Spanish often uses the present tense to talk about a near‑future event, especially with time expressions like 'la semana que viene'.
Definite article 'la' with 'semana'
The article 'la' specifies a particular week – the one that is coming.
Relative clause 'que viene'
The relative pronoun 'que' introduces a clause that modifies 'semana', meaning 'that comes' or 'that is coming'.
🗨In Conversation
¿Nos tomamos un café la semana que viene?
Shall we have a coffee next week?
¡Claro! ¿Qué día te viene mejor?
Sure! Which day works best for you?
✕Common Mistakes
¿Ellos nos tomamos un café la semana que viene?
Do not use 'nos tomamos' with a third‑person subject; it must match the speaker and listener.
¿Nos tomamos un café que viene la semana?
Avoid swapping the order to 'que viene la semana' – it sounds unnatural.
¿Nos tomamos unos cafés la semana que viene?
Using the plural 'unos cafés' changes the meaning to multiple coffees, which is rarely intended in this invitation.
↔Alternatives
¿Quedamos para tomar un café la próxima semana?
Shall we meet for coffee next week?
¿Te apetece un café la semana que viene?
Do you feel like having a coffee next week?
¿Nos vemos para un café la semana que viene?
Can we see each other for coffee next week?
Cultural Tip
In many Spanish‑speaking countries, coffee is more than a drink; it’s a social ritual. Inviting someone for "un café" is a low‑pressure way to build rapport. Remember that coffee culture varies: in Spain you might be offered a small "café solo" or a sweet "café con leche", while in Latin America a larger "taza de café" is common. Adjust the invitation based on the region and the time of day – a mid‑morning coffee is typical, whereas an evening coffee can feel more intimate.