caffè
/kafˈfɛ/
The English phrase cafe (referring to the drink) is translated into Italian as caffè.
caffè refers to a drink made from roasted coffee beans. In Italy, ordering just un caffè typically implies a single shot of espresso. If you want espresso with a small amount of milk, you can order a caffè macchiato. If you want espresso with frothed milk, you can order a cappuccino. When ordering, you can specify if you want to drink it al banco (at the bar) or al tavolo (at the table). Note that caffè latte refers to coffee with milk, whereas using the word latte on its own refers only to milk.
How do you pronounce it?
/kafˈfɛ/
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often confuse the word for the drink, caffè, with the word for the establishment where it is served, such as a bar or caffetteria.
When do people say it?
In Italy, a bar is the common name for a place that serves coffee, pastries and other small snacks. Regarding coffee customs, it is considered unusual to order a cappuccino after 11 am.
Did you know?
- In Italy, the phrase caffè sospeso refers to a 'suspended coffee', where a customer pays for two drinks but leaves one for a stranger in need.
- Adding the word corretto to caffè creates a caffè corretto, which means the coffee is 'corrected' with a shot of liquor.
- The word caffè traces its lineage back to the Arabic word qahwa, which originally referred to a type of wine or a stimulant.
Examples in context
- Sto bevendo caffè in un bar.I am drinking coffee at a cafe.This sentence is useful for practicing the word caffè in the context of where one is drinking it.Tatoeba #3781196 by Guybrush88, translation #2666938 by dipdowel
- Ti aspetterò al caffè.I will be waiting for you at the cafe.This sentence is useful for practicing the word caffè when talking about meeting at a location.Tatoeba #11259656 by carlosalberto, translation #11259649 by carlosalberto
- Ho visto un caffè simile a Londra.I saw a cafe just like that in London.This sentence is useful for using caffè to compare establishments.Tatoeba #10832817 by carlosalberto, translation #10832797 by carlosalberto
- Vorrei andare in una caffetteria per un buon espresso.I would like to go to a cafe for a good espresso.
- La caffetteria in Piazza Duomo è famosa per i suoi dolci tradizionali.The cafe in Piazza Duomo is famous for its traditional pastries.
- Ci vediamo al bar per prendere un caffè stamattina.Let's meet at the cafe to have a coffee this morning.
- Andrò al bar a prendere un cappuccino dopo il lavoro.I will go to the cafe to have a cappuccino after work.
- Vado al caffè in centro per prendere un espresso.I am going to the cafe in the city center to have an espresso.
- La nuova caffetteria è molto alla moda.The new cafe is very trendy.
- Posso avere un tavolo, per favore?Could I have a table, please?
- Un caffè per favoreA coffee, please
- Il conto, per favoreThe bill, please
- 3 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Chiara and Alessandro are meeting at a local bar.
- ChiaraVuoi un caffè, Alessandro?Do you want a coffee, Alessandro?
- AlessandroSì, grazie. Prendo un caffè.Yes, thank you. I'll have a coffee.
- ChiaraLo preferisci zuccherato?Do you prefer it with sugar?
- AlessandroNo, preferisco il caffè amaro.No, I prefer black coffee.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry caffè, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries caffè, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
