καφετέρια
kafetéria
The Greek word for cafe is καφετέρια (kafetéria).
A καφετέρια is a small restaurant or establishment that primarily serves coffee and light refreshments.
What does it mean word for word?
The word is a compound of καφές, meaning coffee and the suffix -eria, which denotes a place or establishment.
Which one should you use?
It is important to distinguish between the establishment and the drink. While καφετέρια refers to the cafe itself, καφές refers specifically to the beverage coffee.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of καφετέρια is καφετέριες. If you want to indicate possession or say 'of the cafe', use the genitive singular form της καφετέριας.
How do you pronounce it?
kafetéria
Did you know?
- Although καφετέρια is the standard word for a cafe, you will often see signs for a κουτούκι which describes a small, traditional, and cozy tavern or cafe.
- The word καφές itself is a loanword from the Arabic 'qahwa', meaning 'wine' or 'strong beverage'. This means the very heart of the word καφετέρια traces its roots to Middle Eastern coffee culture.
- Despite being a staple of Greek social life, the word καφετέρια is not of Greek origin. It actually entered the language via English and Spanish, following a linguistic path back to the word 'cafeteria'.
Examples in context
- Πίνω καφέ σε μία καφετέρια.I am drinking coffee at a cafe.This sentence shows how to say you are drinking coffee at a καφετέρια.Tatoeba #5346891 by Zeus, translation #2666938 by dipdowel
- Πίνω καφέ σε μια καφετέρια.I drink coffee in a cafe.This sentence shows how to say you drink coffee in a καφετέρια.Tatoeba #5523581 by Zeus, translation #4165770 by Lepotdeterre
- Τι ώρα κλείνει η καφετέρια;What time does the cafe close?This sentence is useful for asking what time the καφετέρια closes.Tatoeba #10673846 by amoeba, translation #10652760 by sundown
- Πάμε στην καφετέρια;Let's go to the café?
- Σου κάνει καφενείο ή καφετέρια;Does a café or a coffee shop work for you?
- Πού μπορώ να βρω ένα καφενείο;Where can I find a café?
- Πάμε να πιούμε καφέ στην καφετέρια;Let's go have coffee at the café?
Example conversation
Two friends are deciding where to meet for a quick drink.
- Ελένη EleniΘέλεις να πάμε σε μια καφετέρια;Theleis na pame se mia kafeteria;Do you want to go to a cafe?
- Κώστας KostasΝαι, ας πάμε στην καφετέρια κοντά στο σπίτι.Ne, as pame stin kafeteria konta sto spiti.Yes, let's go to the cafe near the house.
- Ελένη EleniΕίναι η καφετέρια ανοιχτή;Einai i kafeteria anoichti;Is the cafe open?
- Κώστας KostasΝαι, η καφετέρια λειτουργεί όλο το βράδυ.Ne, i kafeteria leitourgei olo to vradi.Yes, the cafe is open all night.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry καφετέρια, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries καφετέρια, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
