喫茶店

kissaten
nounBeginner
formal

A café or coffee shop where customers can drink coffee, tea, and other beverages, often with light meals or snacks.

喫茶店でコーヒーを飲みながら本を読んだ。

I drank coffee and read a book at a café.

新しい喫茶店が駅前にオープンした。

A new café opened in front of the station.

💡

The term is often used to refer to traditional Japanese-style cafés, though it can also describe Western-style coffee shops.

Collocations

喫茶店でat a café喫茶店に行くto go to a café

Synonyms

Related Phrases

喫茶店でお茶を飲むphrase
to drink tea at a café

💡Pro Tip

Cultural Context

In Japan, 喫茶店 often serve as social spaces where people meet friends, study, or work, similar to Western cafés.

Gold Rule

Usage

While 'カフェ' is more modern and international, '喫茶店' is still used, especially in contexts emphasizing tradition or nostalgia.

📖Word Origin

From 喫茶 (kissha, meaning 'drinking tea') + 店 (mise, meaning 'shop'). The term reflects the historical context of tea and coffee drinking establishments in Japan.

📝Usage Notes

While 'カフェ' (kafe) is more commonly used today, '喫茶店' is still understood and may evoke a more traditional or nostalgic atmosphere.

Word Breakdown

喫茶
drinking tea/coffee
root
+
shop
suffix
和英辞典