How to Say "Latte" in Japanese

カフェラテ

[ka̠ɸe̞ ɾa̠te̞]

The English phrase latte is translated into Japanese as カフェラテ. If unsure, use カフェラテ. Wiktionary also lists ラテ (rate) and カフェラッテ (kafe ratte).

Meaning: caffè latte (noun)

Ways to say it

In Japan, this term specifically refers to a milk-based coffee drink, often used in the context of 'iced latte' (アイスカフェラテ) or 'hot latte' (ホットカフェラテ).

The shortened form ラテ is commonly used in casual settings or on cafe menus, whereas カフェラテ is the more complete, standard term.

In Japan, the term カフェラテ is almost exclusively used for coffee-based drinks, whereas in many other languages, 'latte' simply means 'milk'.
Japanese cafes often offer 'soy' or 'almond' versions of ラテ, but these are categorized under the broader term カスタマイズ meaning 'customize' rather than being separate drink names.
While カフェラテ is used for the espresso drink, Japanese speakers use the word ミルクコーヒー for general coffee with milk, such as filtered coffee with a splash of milk.

カフェラテを一つお願いします。
kaferate o hitotsu onegaishimasu.
One latte, please.
温かいカフェラテを飲みました。
atatakai kaferate o nomimashita.
I drank a warm latte.
カフェラテは砂糖なしで作れますか？
kaferate wa satou nashi de tsukuremasu ka?
Can you make a latte without sugar?

At a stylish cafe in the afternoon.

美咲 Misaki

大翔さんは何を飲みますか？
Hiroto-san wa nani o nomimasu ka?
Hiroto, what are you drinking?
大翔 Hiroto

僕はカフェラテにします。
Boku wa kaferate ni shimasu.
I'll have a latte.
美咲 Misaki

じゃあ、私はアイスカフェラテにします。
Jaa, watashi wa ais kaferate ni shimasu.
Then, I'll have an iced latte.
大翔 Hiroto

美味しそうですね。
Oishisou desu ne.
That sounds delicious.

Sources

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