cafetería
“cafetería” means “coffee shop” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:
coffee shop, cafe
Also: snack bar
📝 In Action
Quedamos en la cafetería de la esquina para hablar.
A1We met at the corner coffee shop to talk.
¿Pedimos un café con leche y un cruasán en la cafetería?
A2Should we order a latte and a croissant at the cafe?
cafeteria
Also: canteen, dining hall
📝 In Action
Los estudiantes comen el almuerzo en la cafetería escolar.
A2The students eat lunch in the school cafeteria.
La cafetería de la empresa cierra a las tres de la tarde.
B1The company dining hall closes at three in the afternoon.
Translate to Spanish
✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: cafetería
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence uses 'cafetería' to mean a large, institutional dining hall?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼
The word is built from the Spanish noun 'café' (coffee), adding the common suffix '-tería,' which means 'a place where something is sold or produced.'
First recorded: Mid-19th century (as coffee consumption became widespread)
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'cafetería' the same as 'café'?
'Cafetería' is the physical building or establishment. 'Café' can mean both the drink (coffee) and the place (a cafe/coffee shop). In many Spanish-speaking areas, 'café' is often used interchangeably with 'cafetería' when talking about the place.
How do I know if 'cafetería' means a coffee shop or a dining hall?
Look at the context! If it's attached to a large place like a 'universidad' (university), 'hospital' (hospital), or 'fábrica' (factory), it usually means the institutional dining hall (cafeteria). If it's on a 'calle' (street) or 'esquina' (corner), it usually means the commercial coffee shop.