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咖啡
kāfēi
What does "咖啡" mean in English?
coffee我每天早上都会喝一杯咖啡。
I drink a cup of coffee every morning.
How to use "咖啡" correctly: definitions and examples in English?
formal
A hot or cold beverage made from the roasted and ground seeds of the coffee plant.
这种咖啡豆产自巴西。
This type of coffee bean is produced in Brazil.
她在星巴克买了一杯拿铁。
She bought a latte at Starbucks.
In Chinese, '咖啡' can refer to both the beverage and the coffee bean.
formal
A dark brown color resembling roasted coffee beans.
她穿了一件咖啡色的外套。
She wore a brown jacket.
Pro Tip
Distinguish '咖啡' and '茶'
While both are common beverages, '咖啡' (coffee) contains caffeine and is typically served hot or iced, whereas '茶' (tea) may be served hot, cold, or brewed in various styles.
Word Origin
Borrowed from English 'coffee' via Min Nan Chinese (咖啡, ka-pi). The English term traces back to Arabic 'qahwa' (قهوة), originally referring to a type of wine, later applied to coffee.
Usage Notes
In Chinese, '咖啡' is the standard term for both the drink and the color. It is commonly abbreviated as '咖' in informal contexts (e.g., '咖啡' → '咖').
Word Breakdown
咖
phonetic transcription of 'ka' in 'ka-pi'
root啡
phonetic transcription of 'pi' in 'ka-pi'
root汉英词典