der  Kaffee

A1

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈkafeː/

☕ What does "der Kaffee" mean?

Der Kaffee primarily refers to a hot, often stimulating beverage made from roasted and ground coffee beans (Kaffeebohnen). It's one of the most popular drinks worldwide and an integral part of many cultures.

In a broader sense, "Kaffee" can also refer to the coffee beans themselves or the coffee plant (although less common in everyday language).

It is a masculine noun in German, so it is always der Kaffee.

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar of "der Kaffee" in Detail

The word "Kaffee" is a masculine noun. It is mostly used as an uncountable noun, but it can also have a plural form when referring to different types or cups of coffee.

Example Sentences

1. Ich trinke morgens immer einen starken Kaffee.
   I always drink a strong coffee in the morning. (Accusative, uncountable sense)
2. Der Geruch von frisch gebrühtem Kaffee ist herrlich.
   The smell of freshly brewed coffee is wonderful. (Genitive)
3. Wir treffen uns am Nachmittag auf einen Kaffee.
   We're meeting for a coffee in the afternoon. (Accusative, meaning one cup/a coffee meeting)
4. In diesem Geschäft gibt es Kaffees aus aller Welt.
   In this shop, there are coffees from all over the world. (Nominative, plural - types)
5. Kann ich bitte noch Zucker zu meinem Kaffee haben?
   Can I please have some more sugar for my coffee? (Dative)

🗣️ How to use "der Kaffee"?

"Der Kaffee" is an everyday word. Here are some typical contexts:

• Ordering/Offering the drink: "Einen Kaffee, bitte." ("A coffee, please."), "Möchtest du einen Kaffee?" ("Would you like a coffee?")
• Social occasions: "Zum Kaffee und Kuchen einladen" ("to invite someone for coffee and cake") is a typical German afternoon tradition.
• Time of day: "Morgenkaffee" ("morning coffee"), "Nachmittagskaffee" ("afternoon coffee").
• Preparation method: "Filterkaffee" ("filter coffee"), "Espresso" (although Espresso is often used on its own), "löslicher Kaffee" ("instant coffee").
• Caffeine content: "koffeinfreier Kaffee" ("decaffeinated coffee").

Potential confusion: The word "Café" (with an accent) refers to the place where you drink coffee (the coffee shop), not the drink itself. It also has a different article: das Café.

🧠 Mnemonics for "der Kaffee"

Article mnemonic (der): Think of coffee as der waker-upper in the morning. Coffee gives you a kickstart – like a strong man ('der' is the masculine article). Or: Think 'DEaR me, I need coffee!' The 'DEaR' helps remember 'der'.

Meaning mnemonic: Imagine you kan (can) feel like a fee (fairy) after drinking Kaffee - awake and maybe a little magical!

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms of Kaffee

Similar Words

• das Café: The establishment (coffee shop), not the drink. Pronunciation is similar but not identical.

😄 A little Coffee Joke

Joke in German:

Kommt ein Mann zum Arzt: "Herr Doktor, ich kann nicht schlafen." Fragt der Arzt: "Haben Sie es schon mal mit warmer Milch versucht?" Antwortet der Mann: "Ja, aber dann bin ich nach dem Kaffee wieder hellwach!"

Translation:

A man goes to the doctor: "Doctor, I can't sleep." The doctor asks: "Have you tried warm milk?" The man replies: "Yes, but then I'm wide awake again after the coffee!"

📜 Poem about Coffee

Poem in German:

Oh, Kaffee, dunkel, heiß und klar,
Bist morgens früh stets für mich da.
Mit starkem Duft weckst du den Geist,
Der Tag beginnt, wie du beweist.

Ob schwarz, mit Milch, ob süß, ob herb,
Dein Zauber wirkt, vertreibt den Scherb'
Der Müdigkeit, schenkt Energie,
Der Kaffee – Lebensmelodie!

Translation:

Oh, Coffee, dark, hot, and clear,
You're always there for me, morning dear.
With a strong scent, you wake the mind,
The day begins, as you prove and find.

Whether black, with milk, sweet, or tart,
Your magic works, drives away the shard
Of tiredness, grants energy,
Coffee – life's melody!

🧩 Coffee Riddle

Riddle in German:

Ich bin dunkel, heiß und manchmal süß,
Vertreibe morgens jeden Verdruss.
Geröstet werd' ich, dann gemahlen fein,
Man trinkt mich gern, ob groß, ob klein.
Mein Artikel ist männlich, merk dir das,
Was bin ich wohl, sag an, wer weiß das?

Translation:

I am dark, hot, and sometimes sweet,
I drive away morning's weary feat.
I'm roasted, then ground finely,
People enjoy drinking me, whether big or tiny.
My article is masculine, remember that,
What am I, tell me, who knows where it's at?

Answer: Der Kaffee (Coffee)

💡 Other Information about Kaffee

• Etymology: The word "Kaffee" comes from the Arabic qahwa (قهوة), via Turkish kahve and Italian caffè. Originally, qahwa also referred to wine.
• Coffee Culture: Germany has a strong coffee culture, especially the "Kaffeekränzchen" or "Kaffee und Kuchen" (coffee and cake) in the afternoon is well-known.
• Economic Factor: Coffee is one of the world's most important commodities.
• Compound Words: There are many German compound words with Kaffee: Kaffeepause (coffee break), Kaffeemaschine (coffee machine), Kaffeebohne (coffee bean), Kaffeetasse (coffee cup), Kaffeesatz (coffee grounds), Kaffeefahrt (literally 'coffee trip', often refers to dodgy sales tours aimed at seniors, thus often negatively connotated).