How do you in French.....?

[On_the_trot]

Okay really simple phrase but causing problems. How do you say "a weak coffee" in French? When you translate it literally into French "un caf� faible" French people look confused and scratch their beards.

[cruthinboy]

"un caf� l�ger" will do it I think.

[On_the_trot]

Thank you cruthinboy :-)

[SteveD]

"Un caf� l�ger" will probably get you what you want, but it can get rather complicated depending on what kind/volume of coffee you want. Generally, in France, if you ask for "un caf�", you will get a very small cup of strong coffee and no milk. If you want a larger, milky coffee, ask for "un petit cr�me" or "un grand cr�me". At breakfast, you would normally ask for "du caf� au lait, s'il vous pla�t" and you would get hot milk served separately in a jug. In Belgium, where I live, if you ask for "un caf�", you will get a medium-sized cup of coffee with a small pot of cream. If you want a small, espresso-type coffee, you need to ask for "un petit caf�" or "un expr�s". In any case, if the coffee is too strong for your taste, you could always ask for "de l'eau chaude, s'il vous pla�t".

[SteveD]

Sorry, the last word should be "pla�t".

[shinyhappy]

Just try 'un cafe avec beaucoup de lait' or failing that, just drink 'un The'

[Hgrove]

try asking for an American coffee - it works in Italy.

[IndieSinger]

... but only if you want it spat in.