Essential German Words for Coffee Lovers

☕ Introduction

Germany has a rich coffee culture that blends traditional European sophistication with modern café trends. Whether you're enjoying a classic Kaffee und Kuchen (coffee and cake) or exploring speciality coffee shops, understanding German coffee-related vocabulary can elevate your experience.

In this guide, we'll cover:

• Basic coffee terminology

• Popular types of coffee drinks in Germany

• Phrases for ordering coffee

• Questions you might hear from baristas

• Coffee-related expressions and idioms

• Cultural tips for enjoying coffee in Germany

By the end of this post, you'll be ready to navigate any German café like a true coffee connoisseur.

German for coffee lovers

📖 1. Basic Coffee Vocabulary in German

A) General Terms

English	German
Coffee	der Kaffee
Café/Coffee shop	das Café
Barista	der Barista (m), die Barista (f)
Cup	die Tasse
Mug	der Becher
Espresso machine	die Espressomaschine
Coffee grinder	die Kaffeemühle
Coffee beans	die Kaffeebohnen
Ground coffee	der gemahlene Kaffee
Filter coffee	der Filterkaffee
Instant coffee	der Instantkaffee

B) Coffee Accessories

English	German
Spoon	der Löffel
Sugar	der Zucker
Milk	die Milch
Cream	die Sahne
Napkin	die Serviette
Straw	der Strohhalm
Coaster	der Untersetzer

☕ 2. Popular Coffee Drinks in Germany

Germany offers a variety of coffee beverages influenced by Italian espresso culture and traditional German customs. Here are the most common coffee drinks you’ll encounter:

Coffee Type	German Name	Description
Espresso	der Espresso	A strong, concentrated coffee shot
Double Espresso	der Doppio	Two shots of espresso
Cappuccino	der Cappuccino	Espresso with steamed milk and foam
Latte Macchiato	der Latte Macchiato	Steamed milk with a shot of espresso
Flat White	der Flat White	Espresso with microfoam
Americano	der Americano	Espresso diluted with hot water
Filter Coffee	der Filterkaffee	Traditional drip-brewed coffee
Iced Coffee	der Eiskaffee	Coffee served cold, often with ice cream
Mocha	der Mokka	Espresso with chocolate and milk
Cold Brew	der Cold Brew	Slow-steeped cold coffee
Irish Coffee	der Irish Coffee	Coffee with whiskey and cream

🗨️ 3. Useful Phrases for Ordering Coffee

Knowing how to order coffee in German will make your experience smoother and more authentic.

A) Placing an Order

English	German
I would like a coffee, please.	Ich hätte gerne einen Kaffee, bitte.
I’d like a cappuccino, please.	Ich hätte gerne einen Cappuccino, bitte.
Can I have a latte macchiato?	Kann ich einen Latte Macchiato bekommen?
I would like it to go.	Ich hätte es gerne zum Mitnehmen.
I’ll drink it here.	Ich trinke es hier.
With sugar, please.	Mit Zucker, bitte.
With milk, please.	Mit Milch, bitte.
No sugar, please.	Ohne Zucker, bitte.

B) Special Requests

English	German
Can you make it a bit stronger?	Können Sie es etwas stärker machen?
I’d like it with soy milk.	Ich hätte es gerne mit Sojamilch.
Is this coffee decaffeinated?	Ist dieser Kaffee koffeinfrei?
Can I have it iced?	Können Sie es kalt servieren?
Can I get an extra shot of espresso?	Kann ich einen zusätzlichen Espresso haben?

❓ 4. Questions You Might Hear from a Barista

German	English
Möchten Sie das hier trinken oder mitnehmen?	Would you like to drink it here or take it away?
Mit Milch oder ohne?	With milk or without?
Möchten Sie Zucker dazu?	Would you like sugar with that?
Wünschen Sie etwas dazu?	Would you like something with that?
Möchten Sie eine kleine oder große Tasse?	Would you like a small or large cup?
Soll ich Ihnen den Kaffee süßen?	Should I sweeten the coffee for you?
Möchten Sie laktosefreie Milch?	Would you like lactose-free milk?

💬 5. Coffee-Related Idioms and Expressions in German

Germans love their coffee, and there are several idiomatic expressions that reflect this cultural affinity:

German Idiom	Literal Translation	Meaning
Alles in Butter, alles im Kaffee.	Everything in butter, everything in coffee.	Everything is going smoothly.
Das ist nicht mein Kaffee.	That’s not my coffee.	That’s not my thing.
Er hat Dampf wie eine Kaffeemaschine.	He has steam like a coffee machine.	He is working at full speed.
Kaffee aufsetzen.	To put coffee on.	To start brewing coffee.
Jemandem den Kaffee servieren.	To serve someone coffee.	To fire someone.

🍰 6. German Coffee Culture and Etiquette

Coffee culture in Germany is deeply rooted in tradition, with Kaffee und Kuchen being a beloved social custom similar to British afternoon tea.

A) Kaffee und Kuchen Tradition

This is a cherished afternoon ritual where friends and family gather for coffee and cake, typically around 3 or 4 PM. Popular cakes include:

• Apfelkuchen (apple cake)

• Schwarzwälder Kirschtorte (Black Forest cake)

• Käsekuchen (cheesecake)

B) Tipping Etiquette

In German cafés, it is customary to round up your bill or leave a 5-10% tip. For example:

• If your bill is €3.50, you might hand over €4 and say, Stimmt so! (Keep the change!)

C) Ordering Etiquette

• Be polite: Always use bitte (please) and danke (thank you).

• Return trays: In self-service cafés, it’s expected that customers return trays after use.

✍️ 7. Practice Exercises

Try translating the following sentences into German:

1. I’d like a cappuccino with oat milk, please.

2. Can I have an espresso to go?

3. Would you like sugar with your coffee?

4. I drink my coffee without milk.

5. Do you have any decaffeinated coffee?

Answers:

1. Ich hätte gerne einen Cappuccino mit Hafermilch, bitte.

2. Kann ich einen Espresso zum Mitnehmen bekommen?

3. Möchten Sie Zucker zu Ihrem Kaffee?

4. Ich trinke meinen Kaffee ohne Milch.

5. Haben Sie koffeinfreien Kaffee?

✅ 8. Conclusion

Understanding these essential German words and phrases will enrich your experience in any café setting, whether you're a casual coffee drinker or a passionate enthusiast. From ordering like a local to appreciating Germany’s rich coffee culture, you're now prepared for your next coffee adventure in a German-speaking country.

Next time you visit a German café, why not try ordering in German? It’s a great way to practice your language skills and connect with the local culture. Prost auf den Kaffee! (Cheers to coffee!)