How To Say Coffee In French

Learning how to say “coffee” in French can be fun and helpful. Whether you’re visiting a French-speaking country, dining at a French café, or just wanting to expand your vocabulary, knowing this word is useful. Coffee is a popular drink enjoyed by people all over the world, and in French, it’s an important word to know.

In this article, you’ll learn how to say “coffee” in French, discover other ways to refer to it, and practice responding in different scenarios. There’s even an exercise to help you remember and use the word confidently. By the end, you’ll be ready to order coffee like a pro in French!

Ways to Say Coffee in French

In French, the word for “coffee” can vary depending on the type of coffee, the region, or the setting. Learning these variations can make your conversations sound more natural and tailored to the situation. Here are 25 ways to say “coffee” in French, with explanations and examples to help you practice.

1. Café

Pronunciation: kah-fay
Meaning: Coffee
In a Sentence:

• Je voudrais un café, s’il vous plaît. (I would like a coffee, please.)
• Il prend son café noir chaque matin. (He takes his coffee black every morning.)

2. Espresso

Pronunciation: ess-preh-so
Meaning: A strong black coffee
In a Sentence:

• Un espresso pour moi, merci. (An espresso for me, thank you.)
• Elle adore boire un espresso après le dîner. (She loves to drink an espresso after dinner.)

3. Café au lait

Pronunciation: kah-fay oh lay
Meaning: Coffee with milk
In a Sentence:

• Je bois un café au lait au petit-déjeuner. (I drink a coffee with milk at breakfast.)
• Ils ont servi un délicieux café au lait. (They served a delicious coffee with milk.)

4. Cappuccino

Pronunciation: kah-poo-chee-no
Meaning: A coffee with steamed milk and foam
In a Sentence:

• Un cappuccino, s’il vous plaît. (A cappuccino, please.)
• Il a commandé un cappuccino avec de la cannelle. (He ordered a cappuccino with cinnamon.)

5. Café noir

Pronunciation: kah-fay nwahr
Meaning: Black coffee
In a Sentence:

• Je préfère le café noir sans sucre. (I prefer black coffee without sugar.)
• Elle a versé une tasse de café noir pour commencer la journée. (She poured a cup of black coffee to start the day.)

6. Café crème

Pronunciation: kah-fay krem
Meaning: Coffee with cream
In a Sentence:

• Un café crème est mon choix habituel. (A coffee with cream is my usual choice.)
• Nous avons pris un café crème au café du coin. (We had a coffee with cream at the local café.)

7. Café glacé

Pronunciation: kah-fay glah-say
Meaning: Iced coffee
In a Sentence:

• J’aime le café glacé en été. (I like iced coffee in summer.)
• Elle a préparé un café glacé avec du lait d’amande. (She prepared an iced coffee with almond milk.)

8. Americano

Pronunciation: ah-meh-ree-kah-no
Meaning: A diluted espresso, similar to black coffee
In a Sentence:

• Un Americano, s’il vous plaît. (An Americano, please.)
• Il préfère un Americano le matin. (He prefers an Americano in the morning.)

9. Macchiato

Pronunciation: mah-kee-ah-toh
Meaning: Coffee with a small amount of milk
In a Sentence:

• Un macchiato, merci. (A macchiato, thank you.)
• Elle adore le macchiato au caramel. (She loves caramel macchiato.)

10. Déca

Pronunciation: day-kah
Meaning: Decaf coffee
In a Sentence:

• Je prends un déca après 16 heures. (I have a decaf coffee after 4 PM.)
• Un déca pour moi, je dois éviter la caféine. (A decaf coffee for me; I need to avoid caffeine.)

11. Ristretto

Pronunciation: ree-streh-toh
Meaning: A short, concentrated espresso
In a Sentence:

• Un ristretto, s’il vous plaît. (A ristretto, please.)
• Il a commandé un ristretto pour un coup de boost rapide. (He ordered a ristretto for a quick boost.)

12. Café allongé

Pronunciation: kah-fay ah-lohn-zhay
Meaning: A longer espresso, similar to an Americano
In a Sentence:

• J’aimerais un café allongé. (I’d like a long coffee.)
• Elle préfère un café allongé le matin. (She prefers a long coffee in the morning.)

13. Café instantané

Pronunciation: kah-fay ehn-stahn-tah-nay
Meaning: Instant coffee
In a Sentence:

• Je bois du café instantané au travail. (I drink instant coffee at work.)
• Ils ont acheté du café instantané pour le voyage. (They bought instant coffee for the trip.)

14. Latte

Pronunciation: lah-tey
Meaning: Coffee with steamed milk
In a Sentence:

• Un latte, s’il vous plaît. (A latte, please.)
• Elle a décoré son latte avec de la mousse de lait. (She decorated her latte with milk foam.)

15. Café corsé

Pronunciation: kah-fay kor-say
Meaning: Strong coffee
In a Sentence:

• Ce café corsé est parfait ce matin. (This strong coffee is perfect this morning.)
• Il a choisi un café corsé pour commencer la journée. (He chose a strong coffee to start the day.)

16. Café turc

Pronunciation: kah-fay turk
Meaning: Turkish coffee
In a Sentence:

• Avez-vous déjà essayé le café turc? (Have you ever tried Turkish coffee?)
• Ils ont partagé un café turc après le dîner. (They shared Turkish coffee after dinner.)

17. Café viennois

Pronunciation: kah-fay vyen-wah
Meaning: Coffee with whipped cream
In a Sentence:

• Un café viennois avec du chocolat, s’il vous plaît. (A Vienna coffee with chocolate, please.)
• Elle a commandé un café viennois pour le dessert. (She ordered Vienna coffee for dessert.)

18. Café serré

Pronunciation: kah-fay se-ray
Meaning: A very strong espresso
In a Sentence:

• Un café serré après le déjeuner, s’il vous plaît. (A very strong espresso after lunch, please.)
• Il préfère un café serré à un café allongé. (He prefers a strong espresso to a long coffee.)

19. Double espresso

Pronunciation: doo-bl ess-preh-so
Meaning: A double shot of espresso
In a Sentence:

• Je prends un double espresso pour rester éveillé. (I take a double espresso to stay awake.)
• Elle a besoin d’un double espresso avant de commencer sa journée. (She needs a double espresso before starting her day.)

20. Flat White

Pronunciation: flat wite
Meaning: Coffee with a thin layer of milk foam
In a Sentence:

• Un flat white, s’il vous plaît. (A flat white, please.)
• Ils servent le meilleur flat white en ville. (They serve the best flat white in town.)

21. Moka

Pronunciation: moh-kah
Meaning: A coffee with chocolate flavor
In a Sentence:

• J’adore le moka en hiver. (I love mocha in winter.)
• Elle a commandé un moka avec de la crème fouettée. (She ordered a mocha with whipped cream.)

22. Café froid

Pronunciation: kah-fay frwah
Meaning: Cold coffee
In a Sentence:

• En été, je préfère le café froid. (In summer, I prefer cold coffee.)
• Ils ont préparé un café froid pour la fête. (They prepared cold coffee for the party.)

23. Café sucré

Pronunciation: kah-fay soo-kray
Meaning: Sweetened coffee
In a Sentence:

• J’aime le café sucré avec du lait. (I like sweetened coffee with milk.)
• Elle a ajouté du sucre pour un café sucré. (She added sugar for sweetened coffee.)

24. Irish coffee

Pronunciation: ah-reesh kah-fay
Meaning: Coffee with whiskey and cream
In a Sentence:

• Un Irish coffee pour terminer le repas. (An Irish coffee to finish the meal.)
• Ils ont goûté à l’Irish coffee pour la première fois. (They tasted Irish coffee for the first time.)

25. Café nature

Pronunciation: kah-fay nah-tyur
Meaning: Plain coffee, without additions
In a Sentence:

• Un café nature, s’il vous plaît. (A plain coffee, please.)
• Il boit toujours son café nature. (He always drinks his coffee plain.)

Other Ways to Say Coffee in French

Below is a table with alternative ways to refer to coffee in French. These expressions are unique in their contexts, allowing you to expand your vocabulary for various situations.

Other Ways to Say	Pronunciation	Meaning	Example Sentences
Café doux	kah-fay doo	Mild coffee	Je préfère un café doux le soir. (I prefer mild coffee in the evening.)
Café léger	kah-fay leh-zhay	Light coffee	Un café léger pour moi, merci. (A light coffee for me, thank you.)
Café fort	kah-fay fohr	Strong coffee	Il a pris un café fort ce matin. (He had a strong coffee this morning.)
Café chaud	kah-fay show	Hot coffee	Je bois toujours un café chaud le matin. (I always drink hot coffee in the morning.)
Café décaféiné	kah-fay day-kah-fay-nay	Decaffeinated coffee	Elle préfère un café décaféiné après le dîner. (She prefers decaf coffee after dinner.)
Café aromatisé	kah-fay ah-roh-mah-tee-zay	Flavored coffee	Ils ont servi un café aromatisé à la vanille. (They served a vanilla-flavored coffee.)
Café italien	kah-fay ee-tah-lyen	Italian coffee	Un café italien est toujours délicieux. (Italian coffee is always delicious.)
Café maison	kah-fay may-zohn	House coffee	Je recommande le café maison ici. (I recommend the house coffee here.)
Café artisanal	kah-fay ar-tee-zah-nahl	Artisan coffee	Nous avons dégusté un café artisanal ce matin. (We enjoyed an artisan coffee this morning.)
Café bio	kah-fay bee-oh	Organic coffee	Je préfère acheter du café bio. (I prefer buying organic coffee.)
Café gourmand	kah-fay goor-mahn	Coffee served with dessert	Le café gourmand est mon préféré. (The coffee served with dessert is my favorite.)
Café moulu	kah-fay moo-loo	Ground coffee	Ce café moulu vient d’Afrique. (This ground coffee comes from Africa.)
Café turbinado	kah-fay tur-bee-nah-doh	Sugar coffee	J’aime bien le café turbinado pour son goût sucré. (I like sugar coffee for its sweet taste.)
Café de spécialité	kah-fay duh spay-see-ah-lay	Specialty coffee	Un café de spécialité coûte souvent plus cher. (Specialty coffee is often more expensive.)
Café au rhum	kah-fay oh ruhm	Coffee with rum	Ils ont préparé un café au rhum pour la fête. (They prepared a coffee with rum for the party.)
Café crémeux	kah-fay cray-meuh	Creamy coffee	J’adore un café crémeux le matin. (I love creamy coffee in the morning.)
Café corsé léger	kah-fay kor-say leh-zhay	Mild strong coffee	Un café corsé léger serait parfait. (A mild strong coffee would be perfect.)
Café glacé aromatisé	kah-fay glah-say ah-roh-mah-tee-zay	Flavored iced coffee	En été, je commande souvent un café glacé aromatisé. (In summer, I often order a flavored iced coffee.)
Café au caramel	kah-fay oh kah-rah-mehl	Coffee with caramel	Ce café au caramel est délicieux. (This coffee with caramel is delicious.)
Café en grains	kah-fay on grayn	Coffee beans	J’ai acheté du café en grains pour ma machine. (I bought coffee beans for my machine.)
Café instant	kah-fay ehn-stahnt	Instant coffee	Un café instant rapide est pratique. (Quick instant coffee is convenient.)
Café long	kah-fay lohn	Long coffee	Je préfère un café long plutôt qu’un espresso. (I prefer a long coffee over an espresso.)
Café frappé	kah-fay frah-pay	Blended iced coffee	Un café frappé est parfait en été. (A blended iced coffee is perfect for summer.)
Café au Nutella	kah-fay oh noo-teh-lah	Coffee with Nutella	Un café au Nutella est une gourmandise. (Coffee with Nutella is a treat.)

Responses to “Coffee” in French

When someone talks about coffee in French or offers you coffee, knowing how to respond appropriately can make the interaction smoother and more enjoyable. Below are some common responses to coffee-related conversations, along with explanations and examples to help you practice.

1. Oui, merci

Pronunciation: wee mehr-see
Meaning: Yes, thank you
In a Sentence:

• Person 1: Voulez-vous un café? (Would you like a coffee?)
  Person 2: Oui, merci. (Yes, thank you.)
• Au petit-déjeuner, j’ai dit “oui, merci” quand on m’a offert du café. (At breakfast, I said “yes, thank you” when I was offered coffee.)

2. Non, merci

Pronunciation: nohn mehr-see
Meaning: No, thank you
In a Sentence:

• Person 1: Aimeriez-vous un café? (Would you like a coffee?)
  Person 2: Non, merci. (No, thank you.)
• Elle a répondu “non, merci” car elle ne voulait pas de café. (She replied “no, thank you” because she didn’t want coffee.)

3. Avec plaisir

Pronunciation: ah-vek pleh-zeer
Meaning: With pleasure
In a Sentence:

• Person 1: Vous voulez un café? (Do you want a coffee?)
  Person 2: Avec plaisir. (With pleasure.)
• Au café, il a dit “avec plaisir” quand on lui a offert une tasse. (At the café, he said “with pleasure” when offered a cup.)

4. Pourquoi pas

Pronunciation: poor-kwah pah
Meaning: Why not
In a Sentence:

• Person 1: Prendrez-vous un café? (Will you have a coffee?)
  Person 2: Pourquoi pas. (Why not.)
• Après réflexion, elle a dit “pourquoi pas” pour un café. (After thinking, she said “why not” for a coffee.)

5. Volontiers

Pronunciation: voh-lohn-tyay
Meaning: Gladly
In a Sentence:

• Person 1: Un café? (Coffee?)
  Person 2: Volontiers. (Gladly.)
• Il a répondu “volontiers” à l’offre de café de son ami. (He replied “gladly” to his friend’s coffee offer.)

6. C’est gentil, merci

Pronunciation: say zhahn-tee mehr-see
Meaning: That’s kind, thank you
In a Sentence:

• Person 1: Puis-je vous offrir un café? (May I offer you a coffee?)
  Person 2: C’est gentil, merci. (That’s kind, thank you.)
• J’ai dit “c’est gentil, merci” quand on m’a proposé du café. (I said “that’s kind, thank you” when I was offered coffee.)

7. Je veux bien

Pronunciation: juh vuh byan
Meaning: I’d like that
In a Sentence:

• Person 1: Tu veux un café? (Do you want a coffee?)
  Person 2: Je veux bien. (I’d like that.)
• Il a dit “je veux bien” en souriant pour accepter un café. (He said “I’d like that” with a smile to accept coffee.)

8. Pas pour moi, merci

Pronunciation: pah poor mwah mehr-see
Meaning: Not for me, thank you
In a Sentence:

• Person 1: Un café? (A coffee?)
  Person 2: Pas pour moi, merci. (Not for me, thank you.)
• Elle a dit “pas pour moi, merci” car elle préfère le thé. (She said “not for me, thank you” because she prefers tea.)

9. J’adore le café

Pronunciation: zhah-dor luh kah-fay
Meaning: I love coffee
In a Sentence:

• Person 1: Voulez-vous un café? (Do you want a coffee?)
  Person 2: J’adore le café. (I love coffee.)
• Au travail, elle a dit “j’adore le café” à son collègue. (At work, she said “I love coffee” to her colleague.)

10. Peut-être plus tard

Pronunciation: puh-tehtr plew tahr
Meaning: Maybe later
In a Sentence:

• Person 1: Un café maintenant? (A coffee now?)
  Person 2: Peut-être plus tard. (Maybe later.)
• Il a répondu “peut-être plus tard” en regardant l’heure. (He replied “maybe later” while checking the time.)

11. Bien sûr

Pronunciation: byan sewr
Meaning: Of course
In a Sentence:

• Person 1: Voulez-vous un café? (Do you want a coffee?)
  Person 2: Bien sûr. (Of course.)
• Quand on lui a offert du café, il a dit “bien sûr.” (When offered coffee, he said “of course.”)

12. Juste un peu, merci

Pronunciation: zhewst uh puh mehr-see
Meaning: Just a little, thank you
In a Sentence:

• Person 1: Puis-je vous servir du café? (Can I serve you some coffee?)
  Person 2: Juste un peu, merci. (Just a little, thank you.)
• Elle a demandé “juste un peu, merci” pour ne pas en boire trop. (She asked “just a little, thank you” to avoid drinking too much.)

Exercise to Practice Saying “Coffee” in French

Below are 12 fill-in-the-blank exercises to help you practice the different ways to say and respond to “coffee” in French. Each sentence is provided in French, along with its English meaning. After the exercises, you’ll find the answers.

Fill-in-the-Blanks

1. Au café, j’ai commandé un _______ noir.
   (At the café, I ordered a black coffee.)
2. Je voudrais un _______ au lait, s’il vous plaît.
   (I would like a coffee with milk, please.)
3. Elle boit souvent un _______ glacé en été.
   (She often drinks an iced coffee in summer.)
4. Après le repas, il préfère un _______ corsé.
   (After the meal, he prefers a strong coffee.)
5. Ils ont préparé un _______ viennois avec de la crème fouettée.
   (They prepared a Vienna coffee with whipped cream.)
6. Voulez-vous un _______ instantané pour aller vite?
   (Do you want an instant coffee to go quickly?)
7. Un _______ au caramel est un vrai délice.
   (A caramel coffee is a real treat.)
8. J’adore boire un _______ déca après 17 heures.
   (I love drinking a decaf coffee after 5 PM.)
9. Nous avons dégusté un _______ turc après le dîner.
   (We enjoyed a Turkish coffee after dinner.)
10. Ce matin, il a pris un _______ double pour rester éveillé.
    (This morning, he had a double coffee to stay awake.)
11. Elle a dit: “Je préfère un _______ crémeux au petit-déjeuner.”
    (She said: “I prefer a creamy coffee at breakfast.”)
12. Préférez-vous un _______ serré ou allongé?
    (Do you prefer a strong espresso or a long coffee?)

Answers

1. Au café, j’ai commandé un café noir.
2. Je voudrais un café au lait, s’il vous plaît.
3. Elle boit souvent un café glacé en été.
4. Après le repas, il préfère un café corsé.
5. Ils ont préparé un café viennois avec de la crème fouettée.
6. Voulez-vous un café instantané pour aller vite?
7. Un café au caramel est un vrai délice.
8. J’adore boire un café déca après 17 heures.
9. Nous avons dégusté un café turc après le dîner.
10. Ce matin, il a pris un double espresso pour rester éveillé.
11. Elle a dit: “Je préfère un café crémeux au petit-déjeuner.”
12. Préférez-vous un café serré ou allongé?

Conclusion

Learning how to say “coffee” in French and practicing its many variations can make your conversations more engaging and enjoyable. Whether you’re at a café, chatting with friends, or ordering your favorite drink, these words and phrases will help you connect confidently in French.

By practicing different expressions and responses, you can master the art of discussing coffee in any setting. Keep practicing with exercises like these, and soon, talking about coffee in French will feel as natural as sipping your morning brew.