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Using 'Tener' (To Have)
Mistake: “Saying 'Tendré lo mismo' to mean 'I will have the same.'”
Correction: Tomaré lo mismo / Para mí lo mismo
How to say
I'll have the same
in SpanishPara mí, lo mismo
pah-rah MEE, loh MEES-moh
The most natural and versatile way to order what someone else just ordered. It literally translates to 'For me, the same.'
Using 'Lo mismo' is the easiest way to tell the waiter you want exactly what your friend is having.
🎬Watch & Learn
I'll have the same — in Spanish
💬Other Ways to Say It
Lo mismo, por favor
★★★★★
loh MEES-moh, por fah-VOR
neutral🌍
A polite and simple standard version. Dropping the 'I will have' entirely makes you sound more like a native speaker.
When to use: Appropriate in any dining situation, from a taco stand to a nice restaurant.
Yo quiero lo mismo
★★★★☆
yoh KYEH-roh loh MEES-moh
standard🌎 🇪🇸
Literally 'I want the same.' While 'I want' sounds demanding in English, it is perfectly normal and polite in Spanish dining contexts.
When to use: When it's your turn to order and you want to be direct.
Yo igual
★★★★★
yoh ee-GWAL
casual🇲🇽 🇨🇴 🌎
Literally 'Me equal' or 'Me the same.' Short, punchy, and very common in casual settings.
When to use: Great for ordering drinks at a bar or casual food with friends.
Tomaré lo mismo
★★★☆☆
toh-mah-REH loh MEES-moh
formal🇪🇸 🌍
Uses the verb 'tomar' (to take/drink/eat). Closer to the English structure 'I will take the same.'
When to use: In more formal restaurants or when speaking to an older waiter, particularly in Spain.
Me gustaría lo mismo
★★★★☆
meh goos-tah-REE-ah loh MEES-moh
very polite🌍
Literally 'I would like the same.' This is the 'safe' option if you are worried about politeness.
When to use: Business lunches, first dates, or upscale dining.
Me pones lo mismo
★★★★☆
meh POH-nehs loh MEES-moh
casual🇪🇸
Literally 'Put me the same.' Sounds aggressive to English speakers, but is very common and friendly in Spanish bars.
When to use: Specifically in Spain when ordering tapas or drinks at a bar.
🔑Key Words
Key Words to learn:
📊Quick Comparison
Choose the right phrase based on who you are eating with.
| Phrase | Formality | Best For | Avoid When |
|---|---|---|---|
| Para mí, lo mismo | Neutral | Almost every situation | N/A (It's very safe) |
| Yo igual | Casual | Friends, bars, street food | Very formal business dinners |
| Me gustaría lo mismo | Formal/Polite | First dates, impressing in-laws | Ordering a cheap beer at a dive bar |
📈Difficulty Level
Overall Difficulty:beginnerMaster in 5 minutes
Pronunciation2/5
Very easy. No difficult rolling Rs. Just watch the vowel sounds in 'mismo' (MEES-moh).
Grammar1/5
You can avoid verbs entirely by using 'Para mí' (For me).
Cultural Nuance2/5
The only challenge is getting used to being more direct than in English.
Key Challenges:
- Stopping yourself from translating 'I will have' literally
💡Examples in Action
Ordering drinks at a bar with a friendA1
—Yo quiero una margarita. —Para mí, lo mismo, por favor.
—I want a margarita. —I'll have the same, please.
Formal dinner ordering from a waiterA2
El caballero pidió el filete. Yo tomaré lo mismo.
The gentleman ordered the steak. I will take the same.
Casual street food settingA1
¿Vas a pedir tacos al pastor? ¡Yo igual!
Are you going to order al pastor tacos? Same here!
🌍Cultural Context
Directness in Dining
English speakers often use 'I'll have' or 'Could I please get' to soften a request. Spanish speakers are much more direct. Saying 'Quiero lo mismo' (I want the same) isn't rude—it's efficient. Politeness is conveyed through tone of voice and a smile rather than extra words.
The 'Tapas' Factor
In Spain and parts of Latin America, dining is often 'family style' or shared plates (tapas/raciones). In these contexts, you wouldn't say 'I'll have the same' because everyone is eating from the middle! You would only use this phrase for your individual drink or main course.
Getting the Waiter's Attention
Before you can order 'lo mismo,' you need the waiter's attention. In Latin America, a subtle hand raise or 'Joven' (young man) works. In Spain, you might hear a loud '¡Oiga!' or '¡Perdona!' Don't be shy—waiting quietly often means waiting forever.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Gender Confusion
Mistake: “Saying 'La misma' when referring to food in general.”
Correction: Lo mismo
💡Pro Tips
The Point-and-Click Method
If you forget the words, a polite smile, a nod towards your companion, and saying 'Para mí también' (For me too) works perfectly 100% of the time.
Ordering Rounds
If you are ordering a second round of drinks, you can say 'Otra ronda, igual' (Another round, the same) to repeat the entire previous order for the table.
🗺️Regional Variations
🇪🇸
Spain
Preferred:Me pones lo mismo / Tomaré lo mismo
Pronunciation:meh POH-nehs loh MEES-moh
Alternatives:
Lo mismo para míIgual para mí
Spain's service culture is fast and direct. Using 'Me pones' (literally: put me) is very common in bars and cafeterias and implies friendliness, not rudeness.
⚠️ Note: Don't overuse 'por favor' in every single sentence; it can actually sound distant or sarcastic in fast-paced casual settings.
🇲🇽
Mexico
Preferred:Yo quiero lo mismo / Yo igual
Pronunciation:yoh KYEH-roh... / yoh ee-GWAL
Alternatives:
Para mí, lo mismo
Mexicans are generally very polite. While 'Yo igual' is common among friends, adding 'por favor' at the end is always appreciated here.
⚠️ Note: Avoid being too brief without a smile; politeness is highly valued.
🇦🇷
Argentina
Preferred:Lo mismo para mí
Pronunciation:loh MEES-moh pah-rah MEE (with an Italian-like cadence)
Alternatives:
Yo también
In Argentina, you might hear 'Yo también' (Me too) used frequently as a way to order the same thing effectively.
💬What Comes Next?
The waiter asks if you want the exact same sides/options
They say:
¿Con todo igual?
With everything the same?
→
You respond:
Sí, todo igual, gracias.
Yes, everything the same, thanks.
You want the same drink but a different size
They say:
¿Grande o chica?
Large or small?
→
You respond:
Grande, por favor.
Large, please.
🔄How It Differs from English
The biggest difference is the verb choice. English uses the future tense 'I will have.' Spanish prefers the present tense 'I want' (Quiero) or prepositional phrases 'For me' (Para mí). Spanish focuses on the desire or the recipient, whereas English focuses on the future acquisition.
False Friends & Common Confusions:
"I'll have..."
Why it''s different: Translating this as 'Tendré' (I will have/possess) sounds like you are predicting you will own the food in the future, not asking to eat it now.
Use instead: Quiero... (I want) or Voy a pedir... (I'm going to order)
🎯Your Learning Path
➡️ Learn Next:
How to ask for the bill in Spanish
Once you've ordered and eaten, you'll need to pay.
How to say delicious in Spanish
To compliment the food you just ordered.
How to order a beer in Spanish
Specific vocabulary for the most common drink order.
✏️Test Your Knowledge
Quick Quiz: I'll have the same
Question 1 of 3
You are at a casual taco stand with a friend. Your friend orders three tacos. What is the most natural, short way to say you want the same?
Use phrases naturally, not mechanically
Knowing a phrase is one thing — using it at the right moment is another. Read 200+ illustrated and narrated Spanish stories to see phrases in the contexts where they actually belong.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I just say 'Yo también' (Me too)?
Yes, absolutely! While 'Yo también' technically means 'Me too,' in the context of ordering after someone else, the waiter will perfectly understand that you want the same order.
Is it rude to say 'Quiero' (I want)?
Not usually. In English, 'I want' sounds like a demanding toddler. In Spanish, 'Quiero' is a standard, neutral way to state your preference to a waiter. If you're worried, just add 'por favor' at the end.
What if I want the same food but a different drink?
You can combine phrases! You could say: 'Para comer, lo mismo, pero para beber, una coca-cola' (To eat, the same, but to drink, a coke).
Do I say 'lo mismo' or 'la misma'?
Stick with 'lo mismo' (neutral) 90% of the time. Use 'la misma' only if you are referring to a specific feminine word you just said, like 'una cerveza... y para mí la misma' (a beer... and for me the same [beer]).
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