Milchkaffee
[ˈmɪlçkaˌfeː]masculine
The English phrase latte can be translated into German as Milchkaffee. Wiktionary also lists Café au Lait and Caffè Latte.
Meaning: caffè latte (noun)
Ways to say it
| German | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Milchkaffee | [ˈmɪlçkaˌfeː] (narrow) | masculine |
| Café au Lait | masculine | |
| Caffè Latte | masculine |
Which one should you use?
While Caffè Latte specifically refers to the Italian-style espresso-based drink, Milchkaffee is the more common, generic German term for coffee with milk.
How does it change in a sentence?
As a masculine noun, Milchkaffee changes its article to den when it is the direct object of a sentence (for example, Ich trinke den Milchkaffee).
Did you know?
- If you order a 'Latte' in a traditional German bakery, you might find yourself holding a thin piece of wood rather than a cup of coffee, because Latte is an old German word for a 'lath' or strip of wood.
- The word Kaffee is used both for the drink and the bean, whereas Café refers specifically to the establishment where the drink is served.
- While Milchkaffee is the standard term, some regional dialects in Germany use different terms for milk-based coffees to distinguish between the amount of milk and foam.
Examples in context
- Ich trinke am allerliebsten Milchkaffee.My favourite thing to drink is latte.This sentence is useful for expressing a personal preference for Milchkaffee.Tatoeba #1586739 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #10558713 by sundown
- Ich hätte gerne 'nen Latte.I'd like a latte.
- Ein Milchkaffee wäre jetzt toll.A latte would be great right now.
- Möchten Sie einen Milchkaffee bestellen?Would you like to order a latte?
Example conversation
Laura and Julian are at a cozy cafe.
- LauraWas möchtest du heute trinken, Julian?What would you like to drink today, Julian?
- JulianIch nehme einen Milchkaffee.I'll have a caffè latte.
- LauraGute Wahl, ich nehme auch einen.Good choice, I'll have one too.
- JulianDann bestellen wir jetzt gemeinsam.Then let's order together now.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “latte” translations and entries Milchkaffee, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries Café, Latte, Milchkaffee, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
