French Conversation · Level 10
88 words
French word
café
Pronunciation
IPA/kafe/
Meaning
- masculine nouncoffee
Example
Je voudrais un café, s'il vous plaît.
I would like a coffee, please.
More examples
Tu veux prendre un café ?
Do you want to have a coffee?
Core concept
A small dark coffee at a counter, with the same word extending to the place that serves it.
Common phrases
prendre un café
have a coffee
boire un café
drink a coffee
un café au lait
coffee with milk
Similar words
espresso: A very strong, small coffee made using an Italian brewing method.
café au lait: A coffee drink made with plenty of warm milk.
décaféiné: A coffee drink with reduced caffeine for those avoiding caffeine.
cappuccino: A coffee drink made with espresso, steamed milk, and a thick layer of foam.
Definition in French
Tasse ou petit verre de boisson chaude faite à partir du café, souvent consommée rapidement; 'café' peut aussi désigner l'établissement où l'on la sert.
Word origin
French café came through Italian caffè from Ottoman Turkish kahve, ultimately from Arabic qahwa; the drink's name later also named a serving place.
Usage tips
- In French ordering, un café usually means a small espresso-style serving rather than coffee in general.
Other meanings
- cafenoun
Opposites
- théteanoun
Related words
- cafetièrecoffee makernoun
- caféinecaffeinenoun
- décaféinédecaffeinatedadjective