ディカフェコーヒー
dikafe kōhī
The English phrase "decaf coffee" is translated into Japanese as ディカフェコーヒー (dikafe kōhī).
This phrase refers to coffee that has had most of the caffeine removed.
Which one should you use?
デカフェ is a shortened, informal version used in casual conversation or on cafe menus. カフェインレスコーヒー is a more formal or descriptive term often found on product labels to mean "caffeine-less coffee".
How do you pronounce it?
dikafe kōhī
Did you know?
- You may find decaf options labeled as カフェインオフ in some regions, a phrasing that mirrors the 'off' switch of an appliance.
- The term カフェインレス is a 'wasei-eigo' or Japanese-made English word, as a native English speaker would typically say 'decaf' or 'caffeine-free'.
- There is a subtle nuance where ノンカフェイン (non-caffeine) is often used for herbal infusions, while カフェインレス (caffeine-less) is the preferred term for coffee-style drinks that have had caffeine extracted.
Examples in context
- デカフェコーヒーをお願いします。Could I please have decaf coffee?
Example conversation
Hiroto and Yui are at a cafe.
- 大翔 Hiroto結衣、何を飲む？Yui, nani o nomu?Yui, what will you drink?
- 結衣 Yui私はディカフェコーヒーにするわ。watashi wa dikafē kōhī ni suru wa.I'll have a decaf coffee.
- 大翔 Hirotoいい選択だね。ii sentaku da ne.That's a good choice.
- 結衣 Yui大翔は普通のコーヒーでいいの？Hiroto wa futsū no kōhī de ii no?Are you okay with regular coffee, Hiroto?
