How To Order A Beer in 42 Languages

by The Drink Nation on Nov 17, 2011 in Culture
How To Order A Beer in 42 Languages

If there’s an act that will earn you a friend no matter where in the world you happen to be, it’s buying someone a cold brew. But what if you were air-dropped into the Andes and don’t speak Spanish? Hiked into Kazakhstan and don’t know a lick of Russian (much less Kazakh)? Surfaced in Sweden but don’t want to sound like the Muppet chef? The folks at the Esperanto League for North America have put together a handy list, along with a phonetic pronunciation guide. Just bookmark this page before you head out on your travels, and you’ll have pals around the globe in no time. [Update: Added Arabic, thanks to Jill at Jet Wine Bar.]

Afrikaans – 'n Bier, asseblief (A beer ah-suh-bleef)
Arabic – Wahad bira, min fadlak (wa'-hod bee'-ra min fod'-lik)
Basque – Garagardo bat, mesedez (Gara-gardo bat mese-des)
Breton – Ur banne bier am bo, mar plij (Oor bah-ne beer am boh mar pleezh)
Catalan – Una cervesa, si us plau (Oona servayzeh see oos plow)
Chinese – 请给我一杯啤酒 (Ching gay woh ee bay pee joh)
Croatian – Jedno pivo, molim (Yed-no pee-vo, mo-lim)
Czech / Slovak – Pivo, prosím (Pee-vo, pro-seem)
Danish – Jeg vil gerne have en øl (Yay vil geh-neh heh en url)
Dutch – Een bier, alsjeblieft (Un beer, ahls-yer-bleeft)
English – One beer, please (Wun beer, pleez)
Esperanto – Unu bieron, mi petas (Oo-noo bee-airon, mee peh-tahs)
Estonian – Üks õlu, palun (Ooks ur-loo, pah-lun)
Finnish – Olut mulle, kiitos (O-loot moolek kee-tos)
French – Une bière, s'il vous plaît (Oon bee-air, seel voo pleh)
German – Ein Bier, bitte (Ine beer, bitt-uh)
Hungarian – Egy pohár sört kérek (Edj pohar shurt kayrek)
Icelandic – Einn bjór, takk (Ay-dn byohr tahk)
Irish – Beoir amháin, le do thoil (Byohr awoyn, lyeh doh hull)
Italian – Una birra, per favore (Oo-na beer-ra, pair fa-vo-re)
Japanese – ビ一ルを一本下さい (Bee-ru ip-pon ku-da-sai)
Korean – 맥주 한잔 주세요 (Mayk-joo hahn-jahn joo-se-yoh)
Latin – Cervisiam, sodes (Ker-wi-see-am, soh-dehs)
Latvian – Vienu alu, lū-dzu (Vyeh-noo ah-loo, loo dzoo)
Lithuanian – Prašau viena alaus (Pra-shau vie-na al-lows)
Maltese – Wiehed birra, jekk jghogbok (Wee-het bir-ra yek yoh-dzbok)
Norwegian – En øl, takk (Ehn url tahk)
Occitan – Una cervesa, se vos plai (Oo-no serbeh-zo se bus ply)
Polish – Jedno piwo, proszę (Yed-no peevo proshe)
Portuguese – Uma cerveja, por favor (Oo-ma ser-vay-ja, poor fa-vohr)
Romanian – O bere, vă rog (Oh beh-reh ver rohg)
Romansch Ladina – Üna biera, per plaschair (Oo-nuh bee-air-uh per plah-chair)
Russian – Пиво, пожалуйста (Ahd-na pee-vah pah-zha-loosta)
Sardinian – Una birra, po piaghere (Oo-na beer-ra po pia-gehre)
Scots Gaelic – Leann, mas e do thoil e (Lyawn mahs eh doh hawl eh)
Slovene – Eno pivo, prosim (Eno pee-vo pro-seem)
Spanish – Una cerveza, por favor (Oo-na ser-veh-sa, por fa-vor)
Strine – Foster's, mate (Faw-stuhz, mayt)
Swedish – En öl, tack (Ehn irl, tahk)
Twi – Mame beer baako, mi pawokyew (Mah-me bee-ye bah-ko mee pow-che-oo)
Turkish – Bir bira, lütfen (Beer beer-ah luht-fen)
Welsh – Cwrw os gwelwch in dda (Koo-roh ohs gwel-ookh-un-thah)
Yiddish – אב׳ר, ז״ט אזו׳ כוט (A beer, zeit a-zoy goot)

Fluent in a language we're missing? Let us know in the comments.

Recent Articles
spacer

Feedback

How are we doing? Tell us what you like or don't like and how we can improve. We would love to hear your thoughts!

*Name:
*E-mail:
*Suggestions:
 
Behind the Bar: Liana Oster of Dante

Behind the Bar: Liana Oster of Dante

For this exciting installment of Behind the Bar, we had the incredible opportunity to sit down with Liana Oster, the head bartender at Dante in New Yo...read more ›

by The Drink Nation Jan 7, 2020
Pabst Blue Ribbon Launches Blue Ribbon Whiskey in Select US Markets

Pabst Blue Ribbon Launches Blue Ribbon Whiskey in Select US Markets

PBR has launched their own whiskey. Let's keep an open mind and see what is inside this bottle....read more ›

by Carrie Dow Sep 24, 2019
The Master Sommelier Scandal is Now the Subject of a New Investigative Series

The Master Sommelier Scandal is Now the Subject of a New Investigative Series

There's a new investigative series about one of the biggest scandals to ever hit the wine world....read more ›

by The Drink Nation Sep 13, 2019
SPONSORED
Drink Nation Store Rectangle
Try These Summer Cocktails This Season in D.C.

Try These Summer Cocktails This Season in D.C.

It's officially summertime in the city, and we can't think of a better way to cool off from DC's heat and humidity than with a cold, boozy cocktail in...read more ›

by Lanna Nguyen Jul 31, 2019
Using Peas to Make Gin Might Lead to More Environmentally Friendly Spirits, Studies Show

Using Peas to Make Gin Might Lead to More Environmentally Friendly Spirits, Studies Show

Scientists may have discovered a more environmentally friendly way to make one of the world's most popular spi...read more ›

by The Drink Nation Jul 23, 2019
Drink a Classic Cocktail for a Good Cause During Negroni Week, June 24-30

Drink a Classic Cocktail for a Good Cause During Negroni Week, June 24-30

Negroni Week 2019 is June 24-30, so drink this classic cocktail for a good cause....read more ›

by The Drink Nation Jun 19, 2019
What to Do if Your Uber, Lyft, or Cab Driver Ever Strays From Your Destination or Makes You Feel in Danger

What to Do if Your Uber, Lyft, or Cab Driver Ever Strays From Your Destination or Makes You Feel in Danger

If you're taking an Uber, Lyft, or cab and feel unsafe, there are steps you can take to protect yourself....read more ›

by Nina Starner Jun 19, 2019
D.C.'s Best Wine Bars

D.C.'s Best Wine Bars

Whether you're a wino or a wine novice, DC is home to a number of wine bars perfect for casual sipping or for expanding your palate. ...read more ›

by Lanna Nguyen May 29, 2019
Behind the Bar: Kat Corbo of The Study & Winner of Speed Rack 2019

Behind the Bar: Kat Corbo of The Study & Winner of Speed Rack 2019

This time on Behind the Bar, we spoke to Kat Corbo of The Study, who recently won Speed Rack 2019....read more ›

by The Drink Nation May 15, 2019
Where to Drink Outside in D.C. During Summer 2019

Where to Drink Outside in D.C. During Summer 2019

Patio weather has arrived! Grab your friends, stake a spot at the bar and take advantage of these outdoor spots for drinking and dining. ...read more ›

by Lanna Nguyen May 14, 2019
SPONSORED
Drink Nation Home Bar Project Bottom Rectangle 2
View all Articles

Sign up to get weekly drinking news, bar reviews, events and more sent directly to your inbox!

Close