아메리카노
amerikano[a̠me̞ɾikʰa̠no̞]
The English phrase "americano" is translated into Korean as 아메리카노 (amerikano).
아메리카노 is the standard way to order a black coffee made with espresso and water, and is often the most common coffee order in cafes.
Meaning: drink made of espresso diluted with hot water (noun)
Which one should you use?
While 아메리카노 is the standard term, you may encounter the informal abbreviation 아메 or the slang term 아아, which refers specifically to an iced americano (아이스 아메리카노).
How do you pronounce it?
amerikano
Did you know?
- The slang 아아 is so pervasive that it has inspired 'iced americano' themed challenges and social media trends, reflecting the cultural obsession with drinking iced coffee even in freezing winter temperatures.
- In Korea, the 아아 (iced americano) is so culturally iconic that it is often jokingly referred to as 'blood' or 'fuel' required to survive a demanding workday.
- You may see 아아 (iced americano) contrasted with 뜨아 (tteu-a), which is the slang abbreviation for a hot americano (뜨거운 아메리카노).
Examples in context
- 아메리카노 한 잔 주세요.amerikano han jan juseyo.Please give me one americano.
- 아메리카노는 따뜻하게 드릴까요?amerikano-neun ttatteuthage deurilkkayo?Would you like your americano hot?
- 저는 아이스 아메리카노를 좋아해요.jeoneun aiseu amerikano-reul joahaeyo.I like iced americano.
Example conversation
At a cafe, Dohyun orders a drink for Minji.
- 도현 Do-hyeon민지 씨, 아메리카노 마실래요?Minji ssi, amerikano masillaeyo?Minji, do you want to drink an americano?
- 민지 Min-ji네, 아메리카노 좋아요.ne, amerikano joayo.Yes, an americano sounds good.
- 도현 Do-hyeon그럼 제가 아메리카노 살게요.geureom jega amerikano salgeyo.Then I will buy the americano.
- 민지 Min-ji고마워요, 도현 씨.gomawoyo, Dohyun ssi.Thank you, Dohyun.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “americano” translations and entries 아메리카노, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
