Japanese word

カフェ

Pronunciation

Romajikafe

Meaning

  • nouncafe

Example

週末はカフェで本を読みます。shū matsu wa ka fe de hon o yo mi ma su

I read a book at a cafe on weekends.

Illustration for カフェ (cafe)

More examples

このカフェは朝七時から開いています。ko no ka fe wa asa shichi ji ka ra hira i te i ma su

This cafe is open from seven in the morning.

Core concept

Refers to a casual place for having a drink and taking a break, often with simple food available.

Common phrases

  • カフェで勉強するka fe de ben kyō su ru

    study at a cafe

  • カフェに行くka fe ni i ku

    go to a cafe

Similar words

喫茶店kissaten: A shop that serves drinks and light meals, often in a traditional style.
コーヒーショップkōhīshoppu: A shop that mainly serves coffee and other drinks, sometimes with light food.

Definition in Japanese

飲み物や軽い食事を楽しみながら、休息や会話をするための店。no mi mono ya karu i shoku ji o tano shi mi na ga ra kyū soku ya kai wa o su ru ta me no mise

Word origin

The Japanese word カフェ (kafe) comes from French café, borrowed from Italian caffè, and keeps the sense of a place associated with coffee.

Usage tips

  • When people make weekend plans in Japanese, カフェ (kafe) commonly names a relaxed meeting place rather than only a shop focused on coffee.

Word lists with this word