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PhrasesOrdering CoffeeUn caffè americano, per favore.
A1

Un caffè americano, per favore.

An americano, please.

Pronunciation

a-me-ri-CA-no — five syllables, stress on the fourth.

When to use it

When you want a larger, less concentrated coffee drink — popular with American and Northern European visitors who find espresso too small.

What it means

The 'caffè americano' is espresso diluted with hot water in a larger cup. It is named after American soldiers in World War II who diluted Italian espresso to approximate the filter coffee they were used to. It is now a standard item in every Italian bar.

Variations

Un americano lungo.

A long americano.

Even more water — the largest possible diluted espresso

Un americano con latte a parte.

An americano with milk on the side.

Request milk separately so you can add as much as you like

Un caffè filtro.

A filter coffee.

In specialty bars only — traditional filter/pour-over is available alongside espresso

Mini Dialogue

— Un caffè americano, per favore. — Certo! Con latte? — No grazie, nero. — Eccolo, in tazza grande.

— An americano, please. — Of course! With milk? — No thank you, black. — Here you go, in a large cup.

Cultural Note

The americano is sometimes called 'caffè lungo grande' in Italian bars to distinguish it from the 'caffè lungo' (a longer espresso without extra water). The americano is openly associated with foreign taste — ordering one is not offensive but may raise an eyebrow in a traditional Neapolitan bar.