Meaning
To prepare coffee.
Cultural Background
The 'Kaffeemaschine' is often the most important appliance in a German kitchen. Many Germans prefer filter coffee (Filterkaffee), though espresso machines are increasingly popular. While 'Kaffee kochen' is used at home, Austria has a very specific 'Kaffeehaus' culture with dozens of names for different coffee preparations like 'Melange'. It is common for the first person to arrive at the office to 'Kaffee kochen' for the whole team. It is seen as a communal task.
Use it for Tea too!
You can also say 'Tee kochen' for making tea. It works exactly the same way.
The Office Hero
If you want to make friends in a German office, learn to say 'Ich koche frischen Kaffee' when the pot is empty.
Meaning
To prepare coffee.
Use it for Tea too!
You can also say 'Tee kochen' for making tea. It works exactly the same way.
The Office Hero
If you want to make friends in a German office, learn to say 'Ich koche frischen Kaffee' when the pot is empty.
Test Yourself
Which verb is most idiomatic with 'Kaffee'?
Ich möchte einen Kaffee ______.
'Kaffee kochen' is the standard collocation for preparing coffee.
Fill in the correct form of the verb 'kochen'.
Gestern ______ mein Vater den Kaffee.
The sentence requires the simple past (Präteritum) form 'kochte'.
Match the German phrase to its English meaning.
Match the following:
Each verb changes the context of the coffee interaction.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Hast du Hunger? B: Nein, aber ich ______ uns einen Kaffee ______.
The modal verb 'will' requires the infinitive 'kochen' at the end.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
4 exercisesIch möchte einen Kaffee ______.
'Kaffee kochen' is the standard collocation for preparing coffee.
Gestern ______ mein Vater den Kaffee.
The sentence requires the simple past (Präteritum) form 'kochte'.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
Each verb changes the context of the coffee interaction.
A: Hast du Hunger? B: Nein, aber ich ______ uns einen Kaffee ______.
The modal verb 'will' requires the infinitive 'kochen' at the end.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
4 questionsNo, it's very common in spoken German, but 'Kaffee kochen' is the more established idiomatic collocation.
Usually no. 'Ich koche Kaffee' is the general statement. Use 'den Kaffee' if you are talking about a specific pot.
Technically yes, but 'brauen' is usually reserved for beer (Bier brauen) or very technical coffee descriptions.
Ich habe Kaffee gekocht (Perfect) or Ich kochte Kaffee (Präteritum).
Related Phrases
{die|f} Kaffeepause
similarCoffee break
{der|m} Kaffeeklatsch
builds onSocial gathering with coffee and gossip
Kaffee schwarz trinken
specialized formTo drink coffee black
