entkoffeiniert
The English word "decaffeinated" is translated into German as entkoffeiniert. Wiktionary also lists koffeinfrei.
Meaning: From which caffeine has been removed (adj)
Ways to say it
| German |
|---|
| entkoffeiniert |
| koffeinfrei |
What does it mean word for word?
The word entkoffeiniert is formed from the prefix ent-, meaning removal or undoing and koffeiniert, meaning caffeinated.
Which one should you use?
While entkoffeiniert implies that the caffeine was specifically removed from a product, koffeinfrei is the more common term used in everyday speech and on packaging to mean caffeine-free.
How does it change in a sentence?
When used as an adjective before a masculine noun in the accusative case, such as Kaffee, both entkoffeiniert and koffeinfrei take an -en ending (e.g., entkoffeinierten or koffeinfreien).
Did you know?
- The word ent- in entkoffeiniert works like a linguistic 'undo' button. It is the same prefix used in entzaubern to mean 'disenchant' or to strip away a magic spell.
- While koffeinfrei literally means 'caffeine-free', it is the standard term used to order 'decaf' in a German café, even if the drink contains trace amounts of caffeine.
- Using the technically accurate word entkoffeiniert when ordering coffee may make a server think you are being overly formal or scientific.
Examples in context
- Ich trinke nur koffeinfreien Kaffee.I only drink decaffeinated coffee.This sentence shows the use of the adjective koffeinfrei.Tatoeba #2660249 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #2361661 by CK
- Tom trinkt nur entkoffeinierten Kaffee.Tom only drinks decaffeinated coffee.This sentence shows the use of the adjective entkoffeiniert.Tatoeba #4132267 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #2276373 by CK
- Ein koffeinfreier Kaffee, bitteOne decaffeinated coffee, please
- Ein Espresso ohne Koffein, bitteA decaffeinated espresso, please
- Eine Kaffeespezialität ohne Koffein, bitteA specialty coffee without caffeine, please
- Ich hätte gerne einen entkoffeinierten Espresso.I would like a decaffeinated espresso.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Julia and Felix are in a cafe.
- JuliaMöchtest du einen Kaffee, Felix?Would you like a coffee, Felix?
- FelixJa, aber bitte entkoffeiniert.Yes, but decaffeinated please.
- JuliaAlles klar, ich bestelle uns zwei.All right, I'll order two for us.
- FelixDanke, Julia!Thanks, Julia!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “decaffeinated” translations and entries entkoffeiniert, koffeinfrei, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
