Spanish Conversation · Level 115
59 words
Spanish word
carajillo
Pronunciation
IPA/kaɾaˈxiʝo/
Meaning
- masculine nouncoffee with liqueur
Example
¿Quieres un carajillo después de cenar?
Do you want a coffee with liqueur after dinner?
More examples
En la cafetería pido un carajillo con frecuencia.
At the café I often order a coffee with liqueur.
Core concept
Espresso-style coffee brightened by a small measure of liqueur.
Common phrases
pedir un carajillo en la barra
order a coffee with liqueur at the bar
un carajillo para la sobremesa
a coffee with liqueur for after-dinner conversation
Similar words
café con licor: Hot coffee with added liqueur, without a fixed recipe or strength.
café solo: Unadorned black coffee served without milk or sweeteners.
café con leche: Coffee made with a large amount of hot milk for a smooth, milky flavor.
café irlandés: Coffee blended with whiskey and finished with a layer of cream.
Definition in Spanish
Café al que se incorpora una pequeña cantidad de licor, servido a menudo caliente y consumido tras la comida como digestivo o acompañamiento.
Word origin
The word probably reflects the idea of adding a little 'courage' to coffee via corajillo from coraje, while older folk etymologies and alternative accounts link the form to colloquial carajo.
Usage tips
- It typically appears on menus with other digestives, so ordering a carajillo usually implies a small alcoholic after-meal drink rather than a plain coffee.
Other meanings
- espresso with liqueurnoun
Opposites
- café soloblack coffeenoun