koffie
/ˈkɔ.fi/masculine
The English word coffee is translated into Dutch as koffie.
koffie is a masculine noun used to refer to the beverage. When you wish to describe a color that is a pale brown, you can use the adjectives mokka or koffiebruin.
Meaning: beverage (noun)
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Amsterdam, the informal expression bakkie pleur is used to refer to a cup of coffee.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The diminutive form koffietje can be used to mean 'a little coffee' or to imply 'a cup of coffee'.
How do you pronounce it?
{'ipa': '/ˈkɔ.fi/', 'syllables': 2, 'stressed_syllable': '1 of 2'}
When do people say it?
In some parts of the country, the expression bakkie troost is a traditional way to refer to coffee, literally meaning 'a cup of solace'.
Did you know?
- While koffie is the standard term, many Dutch people use the slang pleur in the phrase bakkie pleur to describe a cup of coffee, though it is actually a vulgar word for 'to vomit' or 'to throw'.
- The Dutch word koffie shares an ancient lineage with the Arabic word qahwa, which originally referred to a type of wine before being applied to coffee.
- If someone invites you for een bakkie doen, they are inviting you to go have a cup of coffee together, using the verb 'to do' to describe the act of drinking.
Examples in context
- Dit is de koffie.This is the coffee.This sentence shows how to identify the coffee using koffie.Tatoeba #7527371 by MarijnKp, translation #56106 by shekitten
- Is er nog koffie?Is there some more coffee?This sentence is useful for asking if there is more koffie available.Tatoeba #8647564 by PaulP, translation #11177334 by SunnyMoon
- De koffie is koud.The coffee is cold.This sentence describes the temperature of the koffie.Tatoeba #702018 by martinod, translation #462654 by lukaszpp
- Natuurlijk, ik breng het kopje koffie zo snel mogelijk naar uw tafel.Certainly, I'll bring the cup of coffee to your table as soon as possible.
- Kan ik je iets te drinken aanbieden? Een kopje koffie misschien?Can I offer you something to drink? Maybe a cup of coffee?
- Ik ben dol op een goede kop koffie.I love a good cup of coffee.
- 500 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lucas and Lisa are meeting at a cafe.
- LucasZullen we een koffie bestellen?Shall we order a coffee?
- LisaJa, dat is een goed idee.Yes, that is a good idea.
- LucasIk neem een zwarte koffie.I'll have a black coffee.
- LisaEn ik neem ook een koffie.And I'll have a coffee too.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “coffee” translations and entries koffie, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries koffie, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
