καφές
kafés/kaˈfes/masculine
The English word coffee is καφές (kafés) in Greek.
καφές is the noun used for the beverage.
Meaning: beverage (noun)
How does it change in a sentence?
καφές is a masculine noun and is used with the masculine definite article ο. Note that when coffee is the direct object of a verb, such as when you are drinking it, the form changes from καφές to καφέ.
How do you pronounce it?
The romanization is kafés and the IPA is /kaˈfes/.
Did you know?
- If you ask for 'kafe' in Greece, you might be served a thick, sandy beverage made with finely ground beans that are not filtered, which is quite different from Western drip coffee.
- The Greek word καφές entered the language via Ottoman Turkish kahve and Arabic qahwa.
- The word 'kafe' is so ubiquitous in Greek culture that it is often used as a shorthand for the social ritual of sitting down for a long conversation.
Examples in context
- Σ' αρέσει ο καφές;Do you like coffee?This is useful for asking if someone likes καφές.Tatoeba #5488462 by Zeus, translation #2739813 by CK
- Μ' αρέσει ο καφές.I like coffee.This is useful for stating that you like καφές.Tatoeba #5544633 by Zeus, translation #3524072 by robbieheslop
- Ο καφές με ξυπνάει.Coffee wakes me up.This is useful for saying that καφές wakes you up.Tatoeba #3695625 by ggia, translation #9254915 by Nylez
- ένα εσπρέσο, παρακαλώOne espresso, please
- ένα φραπέ, παρακαλώOne frappé, please
- ένα καπουτσίνο, παρακαλώOne cappuccino, please
- 27 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
At a small cafe in Athens.
- Κυριακή KyriakiΘέλεις έναν καφέ;Theleis enan kafe;Do you want a coffee?
- Νίκος NikosΝαι, έναν κρύο καφέ, παρακαλώ.Ne, enan kryo kafe, parakalo.Yes, an iced coffee, please.
- Κυριακή KyriakiΟ καφές εδώ είναι πολύ καλός.O kafe edo einai poly kalos.The coffee here is very good.
- Νίκος NikosΈχεις δίκιο, Κυριακή.Echeis dikio, Kyriaki.You are right, Kyriaki.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “coffee” translations and entries καφές, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries καφές, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
