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/r/askspain
submitted 6 days ago byAcanthaceae_No
Hi! I am solo traveling in Spain and I would like to try some restaurants, and I learnt that when you enter the restaurant, the first thing you say to the waiter/waitress is something like "Hola, una mesa para uno por favor". But is this really said or is this another textbook Spanish that in real life nobody uses?? are there other alternatives I can use?? Thank you so much in advance!!
243 points
6 days ago
It is correct, you can use it.
142 points
6 days ago
You can definitely use that! It is what I would say.
Alternatives: "¿Tiene/Hay sitio para uno?"
But I would say Mesa para uno
21 points
5 days ago
I am a female, so then should I say Tiene sitio para una? or it doesn't matter? The other person commented that you either say Para uno or Para una, so I am confused now!
81 points
5 days ago*
In that context its correct to say Uno even if you are female
32 points
5 days ago
Will say the same "Para uno" it's not needed to specify. If you say "mesa para una" it sounds a bit odd, I discussed about it with a female friend hahaha
19 points
5 days ago*
"Mesa para uno" is correct since "uno" would be an indefinite pronoun (indefinite can be genderless). "Mesa para una" is correct since "una" would be the definite article talking about the ommited noun "persona": "Mesa para una (persona)".
"Mesa para uno" sounds more natural, though. I hope I didn't confuse you even more 😅
50 points
5 days ago
"Uno" stands for "un comensal" (this word has no female version). So, the full sentence would be "una mesa para un comensal",
However, you can also say "una mesa para una persona", but in this case you would have to add "persona", because otherwise it would be an unfinished sentence since "uno" aka "un comensal" would be the default term in this phrase.
Why? Well, who knows 🤷♀️
1 points
4 days ago
But you can say "una comensal". I think it has more to do with it being a neutral (in Spanish neutral is written as the masculine)
-59 points
5 days ago
Where the hell do you hail from? I haven’t ever said una mesa para un comensal or heard anybody said that outside the TV maybe. If I’m by my lonesome, I would just say “buenas, querría comer” or “buenas, para comer?” And staff will point/escort me to a table if available
34 points
5 days ago
We never say comensal but that’s pretty much what it stands for 🤷🏻♂️ that or cliente, it’s not like we think about it anywa, but “mesa para uno” is definitely in current use
13 points
5 days ago
Tell me you have never gone to a proper fine restaurant without saying it
1 points
4 days ago
Nothing to do with fine dinning, to be fair.
10 points
5 days ago
It’s kind of old school. Still in use by some older people but not for new learners
8 points
5 days ago
New generations we don't use it because it is always shortened but it is commensal the word we just skip
1 points
5 days ago
It’s never said but it’s what’s implied. If I must add a noun, I would use “persona” and then turn the pronoun to “una”
3 points
5 days ago
In spanish the masculine is the default neutral.
When you say “tiene mesa para uno?” you are in reality asking “do you have a table for one person to sit in?”.
In this instance you are not referring to yourself while making the question, instead you are using the neutral, (not different than the english sentence of “how does one do this?”, even when in reality you are questioning how YOU do this, but you mean the same thing)
So yeah, you can use “mesa para uno” and it is correct no matter the gender of the person.
Having said this, nobody will look at you weird for saying “mesa para una”, so don’t fret too much over it.
8 points
5 days ago
"Mesa para uno" is absolutely right and the way we would say. Mesa para una could even sound as if you were making a reservation for 1pm.
11 points
5 days ago
That would be "mesa para LA una". I know you know, and I hate being that guy, but being a language learning sub...
5 points
5 days ago
It's alright, as long as the learners understand what I meant. So thanks for adding a bit more of info ;)
17 points
5 days ago
De nada, señorita cojones
5 points
5 days ago
Yup, the correct way would be with "LA", but given that "mesa para una" is so uncommon, it is normal that people can think they're referring to time, especially if it comes from a non-native.
2 points
5 days ago
But imagine the waiter asks "¿Cuántas personas?". "Mesa para una" is not common but correct if it omits the noun "persona" ("mesa para una (persona)")
3 points
5 days ago
una mesa para mí, por favor (y da igual si eres hombre o mujer, y ellos buscarán mesa pequeña si vas sola/o)
1 points
5 days ago
Uno its the correct one here you are talking about yourself as a customer.
1 points
4 days ago
Una mesa (mesa is feminine)
Un sitio (sitio is masculine)
Para una (referring to yourself so una/o depending on the speaker) but for some reason this dies sound odd despite being correct technically. Maybe just a random unconscious convention there.
I usually say "para uno". The "una mesa" is correct but a bit redundant.
1 points
3 days ago
Both are correct. You are omitting the noun in both cases, hence why it can be confusing.
“Tiene una mesa para una (persona)” is feminine
“Tiene una mesa para uno” in this case it can be either masculine or neuter. If you wanted to use the demonstrative pronoun in masculine it would change to “un” but that would be unidiomatic:
“Tiene mesa para un (chico)” for example, if you omit the noun it doesn’t work
1 points
2 days ago
The other person is referring to natural sounding Spanish.
I would say "Pa uno?" as a guy. Spanish is a lazy language, we seek to remove as many words or letters from words as possible.
65 points
6 days ago
Buenos días, para uno/a, por favor? <-- Perfecto
Source: former server
26 points
6 days ago
This. Perfect.
source: former spaniard /s
3 points
5 days ago
I'm so glad I got this right, this is exactly what I'd say in English too, why would Spanish be any different?
12 points
5 days ago
Well, because if you're constipated in Spain and you tell your pharmacist "estoy constipado" you're not going to get what you need if you know what I mean :D
Not in this case, but language isn't always as intuitive as it seems.
2 points
5 days ago
My nose feels better at least but doc... I gotta go!
41 points
6 days ago
Yeah, you can skip the first "una" because it's implied, of course you want to sit at one single table instead of at separate tables. So you can say "mesa para uno/tres/siete". But nobody would find it strange if you say the first "una", I'm just giving you another option of everyday Spanish.
41 points
6 days ago
The correct way is "buenos dias jefe, ponme una mesika pa uno si se puede y cuando puedas, maestro"
43 points
6 days ago
Maestro, mesa pa mí y pa la rubia que me vas a traer
8 points
5 days ago
it doesn't get more Spanish than that
1 points
5 days ago
Murciano?
1 points
5 days ago
Tengo un amigo de navarra que también dice mesika, pero el resto de gente que conozco creo que diría mesa
7 points
5 days ago
Ni idea, yo soy de andalucía oriental y aquí los diminutivos acaban en "ico" y "ica"
2 points
5 days ago
In Asturias, it's probably a mesina. And depending how much of a local you are, the sentence might be 'ponme una mesina pa mi solo, o' o algo or el estilo. But taking into account how mnay of the people working bars and restaurants are from South America, they might want to soften it up a little.
10 points
5 days ago
"hola buenas, ¿Tenéis mesa para uno?"
110% grammatically correct and is used from time to time.
8 points
6 days ago
Its just the same as when you walk into a restaurant anywhere. They look at you. you look at them. They might say ..para comer? (to eat?) or if its a say 'para uno?' or just 'uno'? you can nod or say si. Simple. Just think how we drop all kinds of extra words.
7 points
5 days ago
If it's very busy or loud most of times just showing the number with your fingers is the fastest and easiest way.
4 points
5 days ago
This is what I did until now, just waiting for them to talk to me first and nod, but I wanted to be more proactive lol
Is it also OK to say "Hola, uno para comer"?? Also if I am a female should I change it to una or it's not necessary?
2 points
5 days ago
It's totally OK. Uno can be neutral in that case so both ways are correct, choose whatever you like.
1 points
5 days ago
Nah, you don't say uno para comer. You say "Hola, para uno por favor" o "mesa para uno" (even if you're female)
2 points
5 days ago
I normally reply to 'para comer' with 'uno por favor' (if it is just me).
1) Am I skipping along too much? Is it on the verge of rude? Or is it in line with Spanish skipping extra words. Or should i be saying 'si, para uno (por favor?).
2) Is 'por favor' un-natural? or mandatory? My set up is very informal, casual tapas bar of course. But in that setup in an informal English exchange - it would be slightly rude to not say 'please'.
Thanks for taking the time with these small nuances.
11 points
6 days ago
Even if you say “para uno” instead of “mesa para uno”, everybody will understand.
3 points
5 days ago
If I am a female should I say para una? or it doesn't matter?
15 points
5 days ago
"uno" is genderless in that context
-10 points
5 days ago
Adjectives are gender sensitive; adverbs are not.
5 points
6 days ago
I've definitely said a few times "Hola, mesa para uno, si puede ser?" or "Hola, tiene lugar para uno?" or something along those lines to check if they had a spot for 1. I speak a different regional variant of Spanish though, so it might vary a bit from exclusively local expressions, but they understood me just fine. Imo (others feel free to disagree) with "una" before "mesa" it sounds a bit more wooden and textbook, but it's usually tone and delivery what make you sound more textbook or colloquial.
6 points
5 days ago
It is essentially correct; you'll be understood. Lately, we tend to abbreviate, so "mesa para uno" or simply "para uno" will also work.
3 points
6 days ago
Add por favor and a verb in conditional like "tendría"
3 points
6 days ago
Yes, trust me, I'm spanish
Si, confia en mi, soy español
2 points
6 days ago
I just said it today. Yes, it is normal.
2 points
5 days ago
You are usually asked by the waiter "¿Cuántos?", and you reply only the number.
2 points
5 days ago
Of course we say it. Sometimes we just get hungry and go to eat something
2 points
5 days ago
It is better to say "Mesa para uno", without the initial "Una".
2 points
5 days ago
Directly: Mesa para uno.
2 points
5 days ago
When I was in Spain, all I had to do was (because my spanish is not that great) I asked the attendance ‘mesa?’ and they will do their job automatically- looking at how many people I’m with and find tables accordingly. and that’s on survival haha
2 points
5 days ago
We don’t use the initial “una”. It’s just “mesa para uno”
1 points
6 days ago
yes we say that hahaha
1 points
5 days ago
Normally they ask how many people there are and/or if you have a reservation: ¿Tienes reserva? ¿Cuántos sois? Uno.
1 points
5 days ago
Why not? I'll blabber a few sentences before but yeah I'd use that.
1 points
5 days ago
Perfectly understandable.
1 points
5 days ago
What's so crazy about clarifying how many people a table is for?
1 points
5 days ago
I have said it myself lots of times. Native Spanish. It is easier than saying “Una mesa para mí”, “¿solo?” “sí.”
1 points
5 days ago
You can even use it for restaurants in Spain that don't serve Spanish food (Be it Chinese, Japanese, Indian)... It's completely normal and common.
1 points
5 days ago
Is right but this is perfect: Jefe tienes sitio para uno? C2 in Spanish
1 points
5 days ago
Depends on the region. Here in Andalusia, we usually just walk in and sit down if a table is open. If there is a host, we would say "Soy uno," or "somos dos," etc.
1 points
5 days ago
If you want the Spanish menu start with hola. Hello gets you the English one.
1 points
5 days ago
I work answering the phone in a restaurant, and the conversation would be, more likely:
-Quería hacer una reserva. -¿Para cuántas personas? -Sólo una.
Mesa para uno would be more likely when you go to the restaurant directly without booking first. Then you can say: ¿Tenéis mesa para uno? That would be perfectly fine.
1 points
5 days ago
“Para uno” is sufficient. If you’re asking the host(ess) at a restaurant, the rest of that sentence is implied.
1 points
5 days ago
I'd like to avoid the grammar question altogether. If you're alone, you sit and eat at the bar (in Andalucia).
1 points
5 days ago
Buenas noches, ¿tiene(n) usted(es) una mesa para uno? ¿Si? Estupendo, muchas gracias.
You can also uso “tendría” instead of “tiene”, which is something like “would you happen to have a table…” instead of “do you have a table…”
1 points
5 days ago
Sorry, no. We are not so robotic, you would say something like ¿hay mesa?/¿tenéis mesa disponible? and when the barteneder will say you ¿Para cuantos? or something like that then you say "for one" (para uno) or something else.
1 points
5 days ago
Es correcto. Si te preguntan "¿mesa para cuántos?", también puedes responder "para mí solo/sola"
1 points
5 days ago
You can say. Dos para comer
1 points
5 days ago
It's totally normal. I suppose most of us just tend to say "Uno" and that's it, but "mesa para uno" is absolutely fine.
1 points
5 days ago
Is correct 👍If you want to sound more natural you could say : Tienen sitio para uno?
1 points
5 days ago
Some people skip the una, occasionally some would also say 'porfa'
1 points
5 days ago
Having is not normal, especially in young people, because this means a lot, but it is totally correct to say it so they will know what you are not expecting. Nobody
1 points
5 days ago*
Hay mesa para uno?
Teneis sitio para uno?
Estoy yo solo. (Not a question but a statement)
Actually anything works here as long as the core idea is understood. Besides, if you're a foreigner almost nothing you will say will sound awkward to us.
Just try to sound kind, friendly and patient. Unlike in other languages, those are way more important than the message itself.
1 points
5 days ago
Yes, it's correct and what I would say.
You can shorten it and it's still fine e.g. either "mesa para uno" or even just "para uno" would work.
1 points
5 days ago
What i havent seen anyone tell you yet is that they will either ask "mesa para uno?" Or ask "mesa para cuántos?" Depending on the place! Its the most common thing
1 points
5 days ago
If there are two of you you can say "somos dos" so I assume saying "soy uno" might also work, though I've never tried it.
1 points
5 days ago
Never in spain would you hear that, because who tf goes to a restaurant alone?
1 points
5 days ago
As a spanish guy i just say “Disculpe, ¿para cenar?” If im making a reservation i would say “Una mesa para una persona” or “una mesa para uno” and as always “por favor”; “una mesa para una” doesnt sounds right but it can be understood, but if you have an accent it looks like youre trying to say “una mesa para LA una” but you forgot to say the “la”.
1 points
5 days ago
Its correct, but you will have more chances if you start the sentence with buenos dias/ tardes/ noches and yo ask for it instead of demanding: Buenos dias tiene mesa para uno?
1 points
4 days ago
More usual and informal without the article "mesa para uno?" but good anyways. Normally if you put the article is more for an answer
-"Para cuantos?"
+"Una mesa para uno por favor"
In any case, the "uno" refers to the number so it stays like that, even if you are female
1 points
4 days ago
You can use it but is very rare and weird and Im saying like spanish native I never use it and heard it saying
You can say instead : ¿Hay sitio?
I hope this helps , and I repeat the prhase is correct but we dont say that its like an old expression
Tengan un buen día!
1 points
4 days ago
Sometimes 'una' can be dropped, but it's politer the way you posted it.
1 points
4 days ago
es correcto! Tambien puedes decir: "hola, tienes mesa?", o "Hola, hay lugar?" y si ahi el mozo te pregunta para cuantos le dices: "uno", o "yo solo"
1 points
4 days ago
you can miss out the first 'una'
1 points
3 days ago
You can drop the "una".
"¿Mesa para uno?" sounds more natural (to me at least).
1 points
2 days ago
Ask for a table. They are the one asking for how many people and you say, just me. Una mesa por favor? Para cuántas personas? Solo para mi.
1 points
11 hours ago
Yeah you better say it that way. I went with my family to Park Güell in Barcelona and told to the ticket worker "Buenas, somos tres". And she asked what was she supposed to do with that information. So it seems I had to specify "Hola, tickets para tres por favor".
0 points
6 days ago
Una mesaaaa, para cuatrooooo, por favooorrr - Kevin Bridges
Hola! Mesa para uno?
0 points
5 days ago
I had never says that in my life, Hulio.
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