café décaféiné
Decaffeinated coffee in French is café décaféiné.
The phrase refers to coffee that has had most of its caffeine removed.
Which one should you use?
While café décaféiné is the full term, you may encounter the shortened versions café déca or the abbreviation décaf. Additionally, in casual settings, the phrase can be used as a noun, un déca, when ordering.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
café décaféiné is the formal way to express this. In informal or casual settings, such as when ordering at a café, French speakers often use the shortened forms café déca, décaf or simply un déca.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective décaféiné must agree in gender and number with the noun café, which is masculine singular.
Did you know?
- While café décaféiné is the standard term, the Arabic root qahwa originally referred to a type of wine or a drink that suppresses appetite rather than the bean itself.
- The term café travelled through three languages, moving from Arabic to Ottoman Turkish and then to Italian before arriving in French.
- French coffee culture often distinguishes between the preparation method and the caffeine content, meaning a déca is almost always served as an espresso unless specified otherwise.
Examples in context
- J'ai entendu dire que le café décaféiné pouvait causer le cancer.I've heard that decaffeinated coffee may cause cancer.This sentence uses café décaféiné to discuss a rumor regarding its health effects.Tatoeba #7785789 by Aiji, translation #4662874 by CK
- Tom ne boit que du café décaféiné.Tom only drinks decaffeinated coffee.This sentence uses café décaféiné to describe a person's drinking habits.Tatoeba #5519269 by Adelpa, translation #2276373 by CK
- Je préfère un café décaféiné le soir.I prefer a decaffeinated coffee in the evening.
Example conversation
Lucas and Manon are at a cafe.
- LucasQu'est-ce que tu veux boire, Manon ?What do you want to drink, Manon?
- ManonJe voudrais un café décaféiné, s'il vous plaît.I would like a decaffeinated coffee, please.
- LucasTu ne bois plus de caféine ?You don't drink caffeine anymore?
- ManonNon, je dors mieux comme ça.No, I sleep better this way.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
