Translation guide
The word 'coffee' in English refers to the drink, the beans, or a coffee shop. In Japanese, it is almost always コーヒー (kōhī), a loanword from Dutch. This guide covers how to order, talk about preferences, and use related expressions naturally.
Referring to coffee as a beverage, ordering it, or talking about drinking it.
The standard word for coffee. Used in almost all contexts.
Coffee, please.
I drink coffee every morning.
Hot coffee, as opposed to iced. Common when ordering.
Iced coffee. Very popular in summer.
Talking about coffee beans, ground coffee, or buying coffee to brew at home.
Referring to a place where coffee is served.
Ordering specific coffee-based drinks like latte, espresso, etc.
Caffè latte. Very common in Japan.
喫茶店 (kissaten) is a traditional Japanese coffee shop, often with a retro Showa-era feel, serving coffee, tea, and light meals. カフェ (kafe) is a modern café, often stylish and may serve alcohol or full meals. コーヒーショップ (kōhī shoppu) is a coffee shop, typically a chain like Starbucks or Doutor, focused on coffee to-go or quick stays.
I had a morning set at a traditional coffee shop.
One hot coffee, please.
I'll have an iced coffee, please.
Black coffee (no milk or sugar).
I like black coffee.
Coffee beans. Use this when referring to the beans themselves.
Buy some coffee beans.
Can also mean ground coffee or coffee in general, context-dependent.
We're out of coffee.
Regular (drip) coffee, as opposed to instant. Often seen on packaging.
Buy ground regular coffee.
Traditional Japanese coffee shop or tearoom. Often evokes a retro, quiet atmosphere.
The coffee at that coffee shop is delicious.
Modern café, often with a stylish or casual vibe. Very common.
Study at a café.
Coffee shop, often a chain like Starbucks. Slightly more business-like than カフェ.
A new coffee shop opened in front of the station.
A latte, please.
Espresso. Often used as a base for other drinks.
Espresso is bitter.
Cappuccino. Less common than latte but understood.
I ordered a cappuccino.
American-style coffee, often meaning weaker drip coffee. Sometimes used to mean 'caffè americano'.
American coffee is weak.
カフェで友達とおしゃべりした。
I chatted with a friend at a café.
I got takeout at a coffee shop.
In Japan, coffee is often served black by default. If you want milk or sugar, you can say ミルクと砂糖をください (miruku to satō o kudasai). Many places have milk and sugar on the table or counter. For a latte or café au lait, order カフェラテ or カフェオレ.
Milk and sugar, please.
Let's go for coffee.
Friendly invitation