Italian · Food & Drink
"Coffee" in Italian: caffè
il caffè
Coffee in Italian is il caffè (kahf-FEH), a masculine noun. A plain caffè at the bar means an espresso. Larger milky drinks have their own names, like cappuccino and caffè latte.
At the bar counter
Un caffè, per favore.Speak with an AI partner · 7 days free
How to pronounce caffè
Say it
kahf-FEH
/kafˈfɛ/
Caffè stresses the final syllable: kahf-FEH. The accent on è is written and keeps the vowel open. Double f is held a moment longer than a single f.
"Coffee" in Italian: quick reference
| Italian | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| il caffè | coffee; espresso Default order at an Italian bar: a small espresso. | Default order at an Italian bar: a small espresso. |
| il cappuccino | cappuccino Espresso with foamed milk; often a morning drink. | Espresso with foamed milk; often a morning drink. |
| il caffè macchiato | espresso stained with milk Espresso with a splash of milk foam. | Espresso with a splash of milk foam. |
| un caffè corretto | espresso with a splash of liquor After meals for some adults; espresso "corrected" with alcohol. | After meals for some adults; espresso "corrected" with alcohol. |
How to use caffè in real life
- 1At the bar counter
Un caffè, per favore.
A coffee (espresso), please.
This is the shortest, most common order.
- 2Morning with a friend
Prendiamo un caffè prima di lavorare?
Shall we grab a coffee before work?
Prendere un caffè often means a quick bar stop.
- 3Preferring it strong
Il caffè italiano è più corto del filter coffee.
Italian coffee is shorter than filter coffee.
Il caffè keeps the article in comparisons.
Mistakes English speakers make with caffè
Incorrect: Vorrei un caffé grande come in America.
Correct: Vorrei un caffè americano. / Vorrei un cappuccino.
A default caffè is espresso-sized. Ask for americano or name the drink you want.
Incorrect: La caffè è buona.
Correct: Il caffè è buono.
Caffè is masculine: il caffè, buono.
Good to know
Italians often drink espresso standing at the bar in a minute or two. Cappuccino is widely seen as a morning drink; ordering one after a heavy lunch can mark you as a tourist, though cafés will still serve it.
Try it in a ChatPal conversation
Quick stop at a Roman bar
ChatPal
Io prendo un caffè. Tu cosa vuoi?
I'll have a coffee. What do you want?
You
Un cappuccino per me… va bene al mattino, no?
A cappuccino for me… that's fine in the morning, right?
ChatPal
Sì, al mattino il cappuccino è perfetto. Il caffè dopo!
Yes, in the morning cappuccino is perfect. Coffee after!
You
Allora dopo pranzo prendo un caffè anche io.
Then after lunch I'll have a coffee too.
This is a sample. In ChatPal you have this conversation out loud and get feedback on what you say.
Practice this conversation in ChatPal"Coffee" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "Coffee" in Italian
Does caffè mean espresso?
In a bar, un caffè almost always means an espresso. If you want something else, name it: cappuccino, macchiato, americano.
How do I pronounce caffè?
kahf-FEH, with stress on the end and a written accent on è.
Is caffè masculine?
Yes: il caffè. Plural is i caffè, same spelling.
What is un caffè portato via?
It means a takeaway coffee. Many bars still expect you to drink at the counter, but takeaway cups are more common now in cities.
Learn a word, then use it out loud
- Step 1: See it in context
- Step 2: Say it out loud
- Step 3: Get feedback
- Step 4: Use it in real scenarios
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