expresso
/ɛk.spʁɛ.so/masculine
The English phrase espresso can be translated into French as expresso. Wiktionary also lists café express and express.
Meaning: strong type of coffee (noun)
Ways to say it
| French | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| expresso | /ɛk.spʁɛ.so/ /ɛk.spʁe.so/ |
masculine |
| café express | masculine | |
| express | /ɛk.spʁɛs/ | masculine |
| café expresso | masculine | |
| café espresso | masculine | |
| espresso | masculine | |
| café court | masculine |
The term refers to a strong type of coffee. While 'espresso' refers specifically to the method, un café is the most common way to order a single shot of espresso in France.
Which one should you use?
The various forms include café express, express, café expresso, expresso, café espresso, espresso and café court.
How does it change in a sentence?
All listed forms are masculine nouns.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation is /ɛk.spʁɛ.so/. It has three syllables.
When do people say it?
In a café, people often simply say un café to mean an espresso.
Did you know?
- In traditional French café culture, it is common to drink a small espresso standing up at the zinc bar rather than sitting at a table.
- The French word café entered the language via Italian caffè, which was borrowed from Ottoman Turkish kahve and Arabic qahwa.
- The term express in French shares its root with the Latin expressus, meaning 'pressed out', referring to the high-pressure extraction of the coffee.
Examples in context
- J'ai bu un double express brûlant au café ce matin.I drank a very hot double espresso at the coffee shop this morning.This sentence is useful for describing having a double express.Tatoeba #1313167 by sacredceltic, translation #1312843 by Luornu
- Tu préfères le café filtre ou l'expresso ?Do you prefer drip coffee or espresso?This sentence is useful for asking about a preference between drip coffee and express.Tatoeba #13017354 by menaud, translation #13017377 by menaud
- Un espresso double pour consommer à l'intérieur.A double espresso for here.This sentence is useful for ordering a double espresso to be consumed inside.Tatoeba #1314393 by Scott, translation #1725923 by belgavox
Example conversation
At a local café in Paris.
- LucasJe vais commander un expresso, s'il vous plaît.I'm going to order an espresso, please.
- EmmaD'accord, Lucas. Tu veux un sucre avec ?Okay, Lucas. Do you want a sugar with it?
- LucasNon merci, je préfère le goût pur de l'expresso.No thanks, I prefer the pure taste of the espresso.
- EmmaC'est vrai, l'expresso est meilleur sans sucre.It's true, espresso is better without sugar.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “espresso” translations and entries expresso, express, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries café, express, expresso, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
