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.
コーヒーをください。
Coffee, please.
毎朝コーヒーを飲みます。
I drink coffee every morning.
Hot coffee, as opposed to iced. Common when ordering.
ホットコーヒーを一つお願いします。
One hot coffee, please.
Iced coffee. Very popular in summer.
アイスコーヒーでお願いします。
I'll have an iced coffee, please.
Black coffee (no milk or sugar).
ブラックコーヒーが好きです。
I like black coffee.
Talking about coffee beans, ground coffee, or buying coffee to brew at home.
Coffee beans. Use this when referring to the beans themselves.
コーヒー豆を買ってきて。
Buy some coffee beans.
Can also mean ground coffee or coffee in general, context-dependent.
Referring to a place where coffee is served.
Traditional Japanese coffee shop or tearoom. Often evokes a retro, quiet atmosphere.
あの喫茶店のコーヒーは美味しい。
The coffee at that coffee shop is delicious.
Modern café, often with a stylish or casual vibe. Very common.
カフェで勉強する。
Study at a café.
Ordering specific coffee-based drinks like latte, espresso, etc.
Caffè latte. Very common in Japan.
カフェラテをください。
A latte, please.
Cappuccino. Less common than latte but understood.
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.
喫茶店でモーニングを食べた。
I had a morning set at a traditional coffee shop.
カフェで友達とおしゃべりした。
I chatted with a friend at a café.
コーヒーショップでテイクアウトした。
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.
ミルクと砂糖をください。
Milk and sugar, please.
コーヒーが切れた。
We're out of coffee.
Regular (drip) coffee, as opposed to instant. Often seen on packaging.
レギュラーコーヒーの粉を買う。
Buy ground regular coffee.
Coffee shop, often a chain like Starbucks. Slightly more business-like than カフェ.
駅前に新しいコーヒーショップができた。
A new coffee shop opened in front of the station.
Espresso. Often used as a base for other drinks.
エスプレッソは苦い。
Espresso is bitter.
カプチーノを頼んだ。
I ordered a cappuccino.
American-style coffee, often meaning weaker drip coffee. Sometimes used to mean 'caffè americano'.
アメリカンコーヒーは薄い。
American coffee is weak.