koffeinfrei
The English phrase "decaf" is translated into German as koffeinfrei.
In English, "decaf" is frequently used as a noun to refer to a decaffeinated drink. In German, however, koffeinfrei is primarily used as an adjective to describe a beverage.
Meaning: a decaffeinated drink (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word is a compound of Koffein (caffeine) and frei (free), literally meaning "caffeine-free".
How does it change in a sentence?
Because koffeinfrei functions as an adjective, its ending changes depending on the noun it describes and its role in the sentence. When used as an adjective before a masculine noun like Kaffee in the nominative case, it takes the -er ending, such as in koffeinfreier Kaffee. When it is used as an object in the accusative case, the adjective takes the -en ending, as in koffeinfreien Kaffee.
Did you know?
- In some traditional German coffee houses, asking for koffeinfrei might be met with the suggestion of Getreidekaffee, a caffeine-free substitute made from grains like rye or barley.
- While koffeinfrei means 'caffeine-free', Germans also use the term entkoffeiniert to specifically describe the chemical process of removing caffeine from the beans.
- The word Koffein is a loanword in German, deriving from the original chemical naming conventions that spread across European languages in the 19th century.
Examples in context
- Ist das koffeinfreier Kaffee?Is this decaf coffee?This sentence is useful for asking if a coffee is decaf.Tatoeba #8638259 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #8634746 by Eccles17
- Tom hat nach dem Abendessen eine Tasse koffeinfreien Kaffee getrunken.Tom drank a cup of decaf after dinner.This sentence shows how to use the word when describing coffee as an object.Tatoeba #12175301 by starrynight, translation #1094230 by CK
- Ich hatte mir einen Koffeinfreien bestellt.I asked for a decaf.This sentence shows how to use the word as a noun-like descriptor for an order.Tatoeba #3521392 by mrtaistoi, translation #3495023 by Hybrid
- Koffeinfreier Cappuccino, bitte.Decaffeinated cappuccino, please.
- Ein koffeinfreier Cappuccino, geht klar!One decaf cappuccino, coming right up!
Example conversation
At a cafe in the afternoon.
- FelixMöchtest du einen Kaffee?Would you like a coffee?
- JuliaJa, aber bitte koffeinfrei.Yes, but decaf please.
- FelixAlles klar, Julia.Alright, Julia.
- JuliaDanke, Felix.Thanks, Felix.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry koffeinfrei, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
