🇫🇷 French phrases

How to Say "Coffee" in French

The SPAIKING TeamJuly 27, 2026
café
"Coffee" in French · say it like kah-fay

The most natural way to say "Coffee" in French is café. Tap the speaker above to hear it, then say it back out loud. That is the fastest way to make it stick.

Other ways to say it

un café
used to refer to a coffee in a casual context
un expresso
used when specifically referring to an espresso

When to use it

You can use 'café' when ordering coffee at a café or restaurant. It's also common to say it when discussing coffee with friends. In France, coffee is often enjoyed after meals or during breaks.

Say it out loud, get corrected

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Examples in French

FrenchEnglish
Je prends un café, s'il vous plaît.I will have a coffee, please.
Common mistake
Learners often confuse 'café' with 'café au lait', which is coffee with milk.

The fastest way to remember it

Vocabulary you only read fades fast. Vocabulary you say out loud sticks. Hear café, repeat it a few times, then use it in a real sentence. SPAIKING lets you practice exactly that, speaking French with a coach that corrects your pronunciation in real time. You can start with two free conversations.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between 'café' and 'café au lait'?

'Café' is black coffee, while 'café au lait' is coffee mixed with hot milk.

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