cafeterías
/kafeteɾias/from spelling rules
The English phrase "cafes" translates to Spanish as cafeterías.
This phrase refers to establishments where coffee and other light refreshments are served.
Which one should you use?
While cafeterías is the standard term for coffee shops, cafés is often used in more formal or upscale contexts to refer to coffee houses or cafes.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Latin America, cafetería is a widely used term for cafes. In Mexico, café can be used as a general term for cafes. In Argentina, confitería may be used to refer to establishments serving pastries and other baked goods.
How does it change in a sentence?
The singular form of cafeterías is cafetería.
How do you pronounce it?
/kafeteɾias/
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers may confuse cafés (coffee shops) with cafés (the plural of the drink coffee). Even though they are spelled the same in Spanish, the context of your sentence determines whether you are talking about the establishment or the beverage.
Did you know?
- In Spain, it is common for a café con leche to be served in a tall glass rather than a traditional ceramic cup.
- The Argentinian confitería is often a grand historic landmark with ornate architecture that serves as a central social hub.
- The word café is used in Spanish literature to evoke the atmosphere of 19th-century intellectual salons in cities like Madrid.
Examples in context
- Me encanta pasar tiempo en las cafeterías localesI love spending time in local cafes
- Vamos a tomar un café en uno de los cafés del centroLet's have a coffee at one of the cafes downtown
- Hay muchas cafeterías en este barrio.There are many cafes in this neighborhood.
- ¿Conoces algunas cafeterías tranquilas por aquí?Do you know any quiet cafes around here?
- Las cafeterías suelen abrir muy temprano.Cafes usually open very early.
Example conversation
Sofía and Mateo are walking through a city center.
- SofíaMateo, busquemos unas cafeterías para descansar.Mateo, let's look for some cafes to rest.
- MateoSí, me vendría bien un café.Yes, I could use a coffee.
- SofíaEsta zona tiene cafeterías muy bonitas.This area has very pretty cafes.
- MateoPerfecto, vamos a entrar en esa.Perfect, let's go into that one.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
