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喫茶店
kissaten
coffee shop
喫茶店でコーヒーを飲みながら本を読む
I read a book while drinking coffee at a coffee shop.
informal
A casual establishment where customers can drink coffee, tea, and other beverages, often while eating light meals or snacks.
新しい喫茶店が街にできた
A new coffee shop opened in town.
喫茶店で友達と話をした
I talked with friends at a coffee shop.
The term is commonly used in Japan to refer to casual cafes, often with a relaxed atmosphere.
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Cultural Context
In Japan, kissaten often have a nostalgic or retro atmosphere, sometimes with Western-style decor.
Gold Rule
Usage
While 'kissaten' can technically refer to tea shops, it is most commonly used for coffee shops in modern Japanese.
Word Origin
From the Chinese characters 喫 (to drink) and 茶店 (tea shop), originally referring to places where tea was served but now commonly used for coffee shops in Japan.
Usage Notes
While the literal meaning includes tea, the term is now most commonly associated with coffee shops in modern usage.
Word Breakdown
喫
to drink
root茶
tea
root店
shop
root和英辞典