entkoffeinierter Kaffee
Decaf coffee in German is entkoffeinierter Kaffee.
This phrase refers to coffee from which most of the caffeine has been removed.
What does it mean word for word?
The word entkoffeinierter is built from the prefix ent-, which signifies removal or undoing, the root Koffein (caffeine) and the suffix -iert used to form a past participle.
How does it change in a sentence?
Because Kaffee is a masculine noun, the adjective entkoffeinierter takes the -er ending when used in the nominative singular without a definite article.
Did you know?
- The word Kaffee traveled a vast geographic distance to reach German, originating from the Arabic word qahwa before passing through Turkish, Italian and French.
- German speakers may use the word Koffein as a metaphor for energy or alertness, saying someone is 'full of caffeine' even if they have not actually drunk any coffee.
- While entkoffeinierter Kaffee is the technical term, Germans often use the shorter Kaffee koffeinfrei, which literally means 'coffee caffeine-free'.
Examples in context
- Könnte ich bitte einen Kaffee ohne Koffein bekommen?Could I please have a coffee without caffeine?
Example conversation
Hannah and Felix are at a cafe.
- HannahFelix, was möchtest du trinken?Felix, what would you like to drink?
- FelixIch hätte gerne einen entkoffeinierter Kaffee.I would like a decaf coffee.
- HannahWarum trinkst du keinen normalen Kaffee?Why aren't you drinking regular coffee?
- FelixIch kann sonst nicht schlafen.Otherwise I can't sleep.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries Kaffee, CC BY-SA 4.0.
