kaffi
[ˈkʰaf(ː)ɪ]neuter
The English word "coffee" is kaffi in Icelandic.
kaffi is a neuter noun used to refer to the beverage.
Meaning: beverage (noun)
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The singular form kaffi can be declined into the genitive form kaffis to mean "of coffee". To refer to a specific coffee, you use the definite singular form kaffið, which means "the coffee".
When do people say it?
In Icelandic, it is common to offer a cup of coffee even when meaning any hot beverage in general.
Did you know?
- Icelanders have a tradition called kaffisókn, which refers to the act of visiting neighbors specifically for coffee and gossip.
- The Icelandic word kaffi shares a distant linguistic ancestor with the Arabic word qahwa, tracing a long journey from the Middle East through Ottoman Turkish and Italian.
- In Iceland, the term kaffi is often used as a shorthand for a social gathering. Inviting someone for kaffi is frequently more about the conversation and company than the actual drink.
Examples in context
- Má bjóða þér kaffi?Would you like some coffee?This sentence is useful for politely offering kaffi.Tatoeba #4009979 by Bergthor, translation #62220 by CK
- Vilt þú te eða kaffi?Do you want tea or coffee?This sentence is useful for offering a choice between tea and kaffi.Tatoeba #4171415 by lifind, translation #3766649 by Wuzzy
- Er hann að drekka kaffi?Is he drinking coffee?This sentence is useful for asking about someone drinking kaffi.Tatoeba #4000838 by Bergthor, translation #4000290 by Ricardo14
- Gæti ég fengið kaffi, takk?May I have a coffee, please?
- Viltu kaffi?Do you want some coffee?
- 20 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Kristín and Gunnar are in the kitchen in the morning.
- KristínÉg ætla að bryggja kaffi.I am going to brew coffee.
- GunnarGott, ég vil gjarna einn bolla.Good, I would like one cup.
- KristínViltu mjólk í kaffið?Do you want milk in the coffee?
- GunnarNei, ég drekk kaffi svart.No, I drink coffee black.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “coffee” translations and entries kaffi, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries kaffi, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
