Coffee meanings in Japanese

コーヒー (こーひー)

Example:

I would like a cup of coffee.

コーヒーを一杯ください。

Do you drink coffee?

コーヒーを飲みますか？

Usage: InformalContext: Commonly used in everyday conversation when ordering or discussing coffee.

Note: コーヒー is the most common term for coffee in Japan, borrowed from English.

珈琲 (コーヒー)

Example:

This cafe serves great coffee.

このカフェは素晴らしい珈琲を提供しています。

I prefer bitter coffee.

私は苦い珈琲が好きです。

Usage: FormalContext: Used in more formal or literary contexts, or in specialty coffee shops.

Note: 珈琲 is a kanji representation that is often associated with artisanal or high-quality coffee.

コーヒー豆 (こーひーまめ)

Example:

I bought some coffee beans.

コーヒー豆を買いました。

These coffee beans are from Ethiopia.

このコーヒー豆はエチオピア産です。

Usage: InformalContext: Used when talking about the raw materials or products related to coffee.

Note: コーヒー豆 specifically refers to coffee beans, indicating the unprocessed form of coffee.

アイスコーヒー (あいすこーひー)

Example:

I prefer iced coffee in summer.

夏はアイスコーヒーが好きです。

Can I get an iced coffee, please?

アイスコーヒーをください。

Usage: InformalContext: Commonly used during warmer seasons or in casual settings.

Note: アイスコーヒー is a direct borrowing from English that refers to coffee served cold.

コーヒーショップ (こーひーしょっぷ)

Example:

Let's meet at the coffee shop.

コーヒーショップで会いましょう。

There is a new coffee shop in town.

街に新しいコーヒーショップがあります。

Usage: InformalContext: Used when talking about places that specialize in serving coffee.

Note: コーヒーショップ refers to coffee shops, emphasizing the social aspect of enjoying coffee.

java

Java is a slang term for coffee, commonly used in informal settings.

Example: I need my morning java to wake up.

Note: Java is a more casual and informal term for coffee.

brew

Brew refers to a beverage made by steeping, boiling, or extracting flavor from ingredients like coffee beans.

Example: I'll have a hot brew to start my day.

Note: Brew can refer to any hot beverage made by steeping or boiling, not just coffee.

joe

Joe is a slang term for coffee, often used in American English.

Example: I like my joe black with no sugar.

Note: Joe is a more colloquial term for coffee, similar to java.

caffeine

Caffeine is the stimulant found in coffee that provides an energy boost.

Example: I rely on caffeine to keep me alert during long meetings.

Note: Caffeine specifically refers to the chemical compound found in coffee, whereas coffee is the beverage itself.

Wake up and smell the coffee

This idiom means to become aware of the reality of a situation or to pay attention to what is happening around you.

Example: You need to wake up and smell the coffee - life isn't easy.

Note: The phrase uses 'coffee' as a metaphor for being alert and aware, rather than referring to the beverage itself.

A storm in a coffee cup

This phrase refers to a situation that is blown out of proportion, creating unnecessary drama or excitement.

Example: Don't worry about it, it's just a storm in a coffee cup.

Note: The idiom uses 'coffee cup' to emphasize the smallness and insignificance of the issue, as compared to a storm in a teacup or a storm in a teapot.

Spill the beans

To 'spill the beans' means to disclose a secret or reveal something that was supposed to be kept confidential.

Example: I can't believe you spilled the beans about the surprise party!

Note: The phrase uses 'beans' metaphorically to represent the secret that has been revealed, rather than referring to the actual food item.

Not my cup of tea

This phrase means that something is not to someone's liking or preference.

Example: Watching horror movies is not my cup of tea.

Note: The idiom uses 'cup of tea' to refer to personal taste or preference, rather than a literal cup of tea.

Coffee break

A short rest period during work or other activities to have a cup of coffee and relax.

Example: Let's take a coffee break before we start the next task.

Note: This phrase directly refers to a break from work or activities to enjoy a cup of coffee, indicating a pause or relaxation period.

Mug's game

An activity or situation that is considered pointless, futile, or likely to lead to failure.

Example: Investing in that stock seems like a mug's game to me.

Note: The phrase uses 'mug' as a slang term for a foolish or gullible person, suggesting that engaging in the activity is not wise.

Coffee table book

A large, visually appealing book that is meant to be displayed on a coffee table for casual browsing.

Example: She has a collection of beautiful coffee table books on art and photography.

Note: The phrase describes a type of book typically placed on a coffee table for guests to leaf through, rather than a book specifically about coffee.

Cup of Joe

A slang term for a cup of coffee, believed to have originated during World War I as a slang term for coffee, with 'Joe' referencing 'Joe Blow', a common term for an average person.

Example: I need a strong cup of joe to wake me up in the morning.

Note: The term 'cup of joe' is a more casual and colloquial way to refer to coffee compared to the word 'coffee' itself.

Caffeine Fix

Refers to the need or desire for a dose of caffeine, often obtained through coffee consumption.

Example: I'm running late, but I need my caffeine fix before heading to work.

Note: This slang term specifically emphasizes the purpose of consuming coffee for its caffeine content, rather than just for enjoyment.

Jet Fuel

A slang term describing a particularly strong or potent cup of coffee, often used when needing a significant energy boost.

Example: I need some jet fuel to get through this meeting.

Note: It highlights the intense effect or kick that the coffee is expected to provide compared to a standard cup of coffee.

Cuppa

A colloquial term originating from British English, 'cuppa' is a shortened form of 'cup of'. It is commonly used to refer to a cup of tea or, in a broader sense, a hot beverage like coffee.

Example: Let's grab a cuppa at that new cafe down the street.

Note: While 'coffee' refers specifically to the brewed beverage, 'cuppa' can be used to refer to any hot drink served in a cup, including coffee.

Black Gold

This term refers to coffee as a precious or valuable commodity, similar to gold, highlighting its importance and worth to the speaker.

Example: There's nothing like a cup of black gold to kickstart my day.

Note: It elevates the status of coffee by likening it to a highly sought-after and valuable substance.

I need a cup of coffee to wake up in the morning.

The coffee beans were roasted to perfection.

The coffee shop on the corner has the best cappuccino in town.

Coffee - Noun (Noun) / Noun, singular or mass (Noun, singular or mass)

Lemma: coffee

Conjugations

Noun, plural (Noun, plural): coffees, coffee

Noun, singular or mass (Noun, singular or mass): coffee

Syllables, Separation and Stress

coffee Contains 2 syllables: cof • fee

Phonetic transcription: ˈkȯ-fē

cof fee , ˈkȯ fē (The red syllable is stressed)

The word frequency and importance index indicates how often a word appears in a given language. The smaller the number, the more frequently the word is used. The most frequently used words typically range from about 1 to 4000.

coffee: ~ 1400 (Very common).

This importance index helps you focus on the most useful words during your language learning process.

Coffee