How Coffee Is Called Around the World: Local Names by Country

Ever ordered coffee abroad and realized you don’t know the local word for it? Whether you’re traveling, studying coffee’s global roots, or just curious how ‘coffee’ rolls off the tongue in Cairo or Copenhagen, we’ve gathered the exact terms used in 25 countries and regions—from Japan to Ethiopia—for the drink we all know and love.

In short: Coffee goes by over two dozen unique names worldwide. For example, it’s ‘Kaffe’ in Denmark, ‘Qahwa’ in Iraq and Arabic-speaking countries, ‘Kopi’ in Malaysia and Indonesia, and ‘Buna’ in Ethiopia—the birthplace of arabica coffee. Every country’s word reflects its linguistic roots and cultural history.

What Do People Actually Call Coffee in Different Countries?

Coffee has spread across the globe, and with it, a variety of local names rooted in trade routes, colonization, and language evolution. The word you use likely depends on where your language borrowed the term from—often via Ottoman Turkish, Arabic, or Dutch. Below is a list of how 25 countries and regions pronounce ‘coffee’ in their own language, with the exact term and pronunciation guide.

European and Scandinavian Coffee Terms

Many European languages derive their word for coffee from the Ottoman Turkish ‘kahve,’ which itself came from Arabic. Here’s how some key regions say it:

• France: Cafe (pronounced ‘ka-fay’)
• Germany: Kaffee (‘kahf-ay’)
• Denmark: Kaffe (‘ka-feh’)
• Finland: Kahvi (‘kah-vee’)
• Netherlands: Koffie (‘kof-fee’)
• Sweden (as “” is Sweden/Latvia): Kaffee (‘kah-fay’)
• Hungary: Kave (‘kah-vay’)
• Czech Republic : Kava (‘kah-vah’)
• Poland: Kawa (‘kah-vah’)
• Italy: Coffea (‘kohf-feh-ah’)
• Spain: Kafe (‘kah-fay’)

Middle Eastern, North African, and Asian Pronunciations

The Middle East is where coffee culture first flourished publicly, and the word ‘qahwa’ (or ‘kahwa’) has deep historical roots. Here’s how it’s said across the region and beyond:

• Egypt: Masbout (local variant)
• Israel: Kave (‘kah-vay’)
• Lebanon: Qahwa (‘kah-wah’)
• Iraq: Qahwa (‘kah-wah’)
• Iran: Gehve (‘geh-vay’)
• Arabic-speaking countries: Qahwa / Kahwa (‘kah-wah’)
• Jordan & other Levant nations: Often Qahwa, with additions like cardamom
• Turkey: Kahve (‘kah-vay’)
• Saudi Arabia & Gulf states: Qahwa, often spiced with cardamom

Southeast Asia, East Asia, and Africa

In Asia and Africa, coffee terms often reflect colonial history, trade, or indigenous languages. Some are remarkably similar across borders:

• Japan: Koohii (‘koo-ee’)
• China (Mandarin): Kafei (‘kah-fay’)
• Philippines: Kape (‘kah-pay’)
• Thailand: Gafae (‘ga-fae’)
• Indonesia / Malaysia: Kopi (‘ko-pee’)
• Laos: Kafe (‘kah-fay’)
• Vietnam (not listed but common knowledge): Cà phê
• Kenya: Kalawa (local term)
• Ethiopia (birthplace of arabica): Buna (‘boo-nah’)
• Hawaii (U.S.): Kope (‘ko-pay’)

How People Drink Their Coffee Around the World

Just as the word for coffee changes, so do local traditions for how it’s prepared and served. Many cultures add unique flavors or serve it alongside specific foods. Here are a few notable examples:

• Ethiopia: Add a pinch of salt to balance flavors
• Middle Eastern countries: Love adding cardamom and other spices
• Austria: Prefer adding whipped cream to coffee
• Morocco: Add black pepper for a spicy kick
• Mexico: Often brewed with cinnamon
• Belgium & France: Common to enjoy coffee with chocolate
• Germany & Switzerland: Sometimes served with hot chocolate
• Hawaii: Kope is often enjoyed black or with local tropical twists

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Arabic word for coffee?

The Arabic word for coffee is ‘Qahwa’ (also spelled Kahwa), used across Arabic-speaking countries including Egypt, Iraq, Lebanon, and the Gulf states. It’s the same root that gave rise to the Turkish ‘kahve’ and many European terms. In some regions, like the Gulf, coffee is often flavored with cardamom.

Why do so many languages call coffee something like ‘kahve’?

Many languages derive their word for coffee from the Ottoman Turkish ‘kahve,’ which entered Europe during the 16th century through trade routes. This term itself originated from the Arabic ‘qahwa.’ Languages like Dutch, Italian, French, and German adapted it into their phonetic systems, leading to today’s wide variety of similar-sounding words.

What is the Ethiopian word for coffee?

In Ethiopia, the birthplace of arabica coffee, the local word for coffee is ‘Buna.’ Ethiopia has a deep coffee ceremony culture, and ‘Buna’ is central to social and traditional life. Locals often drink it black or with a pinch of salt.

How do people in the Middle East drink their coffee?

In the Middle East, coffee is typically brewed strong and unfiltered, often served in small cups. It is commonly flavored with cardamom, and in Morocco, black pepper is sometimes added. Spices are a key part of the regional coffee experience, unlike the more minimalist styles of Northern Europe or the Americas.

Is there a common root for most coffee words around the world?

Yes, most coffee words worldwide trace back to either the Arabic ‘qahwa’ or the Ottoman Turkish ‘kahve.’ These terms spread with coffee trade and cultural exchange, especially during the Ottoman Empire’s influence, eventually adapting into European and Asian languages with slight phonetic shifts.

What does ‘kopi’ mean and where is it used?

‘Kopi’ is the word for coffee in both Indonesia and Malaysia. It refers to the local style of brewed coffee, often made with sweetened condensed milk and served thick. The term is widely recognized across Southeast Asia and is a staple in daily café culture in those countries.

Recommended FrontStreet Beans for Global Coffee Culture

Explore the origins of global coffee terms with FrontStreet’s signature single origins. Try our Ethiopia Yirgacheffe for a bright, floral cup reminiscent of the birthplace of coffee (where it’s called ‘Buna’). For a classic Indonesian profile, our Indonesia Sumatra Mandheling offers earthy, spicy notes aligned with the word ‘Kopi.’ Or start with our Classic Blend, a balanced roast that works anywhere in the world. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.