Meaning
Coffee with low concentration.
Cultural Background
In the PRL era, coffee was a luxury. 'Słaba kawa' was often a result of economic hardship, but today it's a health choice. Poles visiting Italy often find Italian coffee too strong and might ask for an 'Americano', which they describe as 'słaba kawa'. The 'drip coffee' common in the US is often perceived by Poles as 'słaba kawa' compared to traditional Polish 'parzona'. Traditional Arabic coffee is served in small amounts but is very potent; a 'słaba kawa' would be unusual in that context.
Ordering
If you want your coffee even weaker, ask for 'bardzo słaba kawa'.
Gender Agreement
Always remember 'kawa' is feminine. Never say 'słaby kawa'.
Meaning
Coffee with low concentration.
Ordering
If you want your coffee even weaker, ask for 'bardzo słaba kawa'.
Gender Agreement
Always remember 'kawa' is feminine. Never say 'słaby kawa'.
Slang
Use 'lura' only with friends to complain about bad coffee; it's too rude for a waiter.
Hospitality
If a Pole offers you coffee, they will usually ask 'Mocna czy słaba?'
Test Yourself
Fill in the blank with the correct form of 'słaba kawa'.
Nie lubię ________ (Genitive).
After 'nie lubię' (I don't like), we use the Genitive case.
Which sentence is correct?
How do you order a weak coffee?
'Poproszę' requires the Accusative case, and 'kawa' is feminine.
Match the Polish phrase with its English meaning.
Match the following:
Direct translation practice.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Chcesz espresso? B: Nie, dziękuję. Dla mnie ________.
In this context, the Nominative is used as a standalone subject/answer.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Coffee Strength in Polish
Practice Bank
4 exercisesNie lubię ________ (Genitive).
After 'nie lubię' (I don't like), we use the Genitive case.
How do you order a weak coffee?
'Poproszę' requires the Accusative case, and 'kawa' is feminine.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
Direct translation practice.
A: Chcesz espresso? B: Nie, dziękuję. Dla mnie ________.
In this context, the Nominative is used as a standalone subject/answer.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
5 questionsNot necessarily. It can be a personal preference. However, if you say it about coffee someone made for you, it might be seen as a critique.
You can say 'bardzo słaba kawa' or use the diminutive 'słabiutka kawa'.
The opposite is 'mocna kawa' (strong coffee).
Yes, 'słaba herbata' is also very common.
Yes, it's very common in informal speech to describe bad, watery coffee or tea.
Related Phrases
mocna kawa
contraststrong coffee
kawa z mlekiem
similarOften weak coffee is served with milk.
czarna kawa
similarblack coffee
kawa rozpuszczalna
specialized forminstant coffee
lura
synonymdishwater/very weak coffee
