喫茶店
also: きっちゃてん
Meanings
1
General term for a coffee shop or cafe, often serving light meals and desserts. Can range from old-style kissaten to modern cafes.
A new coffee shop opened in front of the station.
I read a book while drinking coffee at a cafe.
2
kissaten; traditional Japanese coffee shop
Specifically refers to a traditional Japanese-style coffee shop, often with a retro Showa-era atmosphere, dark wood interiors, and hand-drip coffee. Distinct from modern chain cafes.
This kissaten has a retro Showa atmosphere and is famous for its siphon coffee.
Usage patterns
- 喫茶店に入るto go into a cafe
Since it started raining, I went into a nearby cafe.
- 喫茶店で〈人〉と待ち合わせるto meet up with someone at a cafe
I met up with a friend at a cafe near the station.
- 喫茶店を経営するto run a cafe
He runs a small cafe near the station.
- 喫茶店を開くto open a cafe (as a business)
After retiring, she opened the cafe she had long dreamed of.