kawa
/ˈka.va/feminine
The English word "coffee" is translated into Polish as kawa.
kawa is the noun used for the beverage. If you wish to order coffee with milk, you can use the phrase kawa z mlekiem. In Poland, the word espresso is also widely understood by speakers.
Meaning: beverage (noun)
Which one should you use?
The related adjective kawowy is used to describe something of a pale brown colour, rather than the beverage itself.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun kawa changes its form depending on its role in a sentence. Use the form kawę when coffee is the direct object of a verb, such as in piję kawę (I am drinking coffee). Use the form kawy to express possession or after certain prepositions, such as in kubek kawy (a cup of coffee).
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈka.va/. It has 2 syllables, and the stress is on the 1st syllable.
Did you know?
- If you are in a Polish cafe and want to sound like a local, you might ask for a mała czarna, which literally translates to 'a little black'.
- The Polish word kawa is a linguistic doublet of the English 'café', as both share the same distant Ottoman Turkish ancestor.
- In Poland, inviting someone for kawa is often a social shorthand for a general meeting or a date, regardless of whether coffee is actually consumed.
Examples in context
- Jest kawa i kawa.There is coffee, and… coffee.This sentence shows how the word kawa can be repeated.Tatoeba #356920 by zipangu, translation #62263 by frpzzd
- Ta kawa jest gorzka.This coffee is bitter.This sentence uses kawa to describe the taste of the beverage.Tatoeba #966959 by zipangu, translation #8472251 by ddnktr
- Ta kawa jest gorąca.This coffee is hot.This sentence uses kawa to describe the temperature of the beverage.Tatoeba #8475785 by nusia2302, translation #12997177 by araneo
- Poproszę kawę.I would like coffee / Can I have coffee, please?
- Czy mogę zamówić kawę?Can I order coffee?
- Możesz mi podać kawę?Can you pass me the coffee?
- Czy mogę zamówić espresso z mlekiem?Can I order an espresso with milk?
- 29 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Piotr and Katarzyna are in the kitchen in the morning.
- PiotrKatarzyno, czy chcesz kawę?Katarzyna, do you want some coffee?
- KatarzynaTak, poproszę kawę z mlekiem.Yes, I'll have coffee with milk, please.
- PiotrDobrze, zaparzę świeżą kawę.Alright, I will brew fresh coffee.
- KatarzynaDziękuję, ta kawa pachnie świetnie!Thank you, this coffee smells great!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “coffee” translations and entries kawa, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries kawa, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
