Lexical entry

カフェ

kafe

A café or coffeehouse; historically, a hostess bar.

Food & DrinkPure GairaigoSource: French

Meaning

A coffee-serving establishment such as a café or coffeehouse. In older Japanese usage it can also refer to a hostess bar serving Western alcoholic drinks, especially in the Taisho and Showa periods.

cafe
coffeehouse
historical hostess bar

Examples

Example Sentences

駅の近くにある新しいカフェで友達と待ち合わせをした。

えきのちかくにあるあたらしいかふえでともだちとまちあわせをした。

I met up with a friend at a new café near the station.

generated example

週末は静かなカフェで本を読むのが一番の楽しみです。

しゅうまつはしずかなかふえでほんをよむのがいちばんのたのしみです。

Reading books in a quiet café is my greatest pleasure on weekends.

generated example

カフェオレ

Coffee mixed with hot milk.

カフェテラス

A cafe with outdoor terrace seating.

カフェバー

A venue combining a café and a bar.

Evidence and Provenance

Data source: JMdict_english
Revision: JMdict.2026-04-17
Review flags: multiple-category-candidates, jlpt-borderline
Active language: English