Meaning
The act of consuming coffee.
Cultural Background
The 'Påtår' rule: In most Swedish cafes, when you buy a 'bryggkaffe' (drip coffee), the second cup is free. You just go and refill it yourself. The 'Kafferast' is a sacred time. It is often written into employment contracts that workers have the right to a coffee break. If you are invited to a Swedish home, you will almost certainly be asked if you want to 'dricka kaffe' within the first 10 minutes.
The 'Påtår' is key
Always check if 'påtår ingår' (refill included) at cafes to save money!
Strong Coffee
Swedish coffee is traditionally very strong compared to American drip coffee. Be prepared!
Meaning
The act of consuming coffee.
The 'Påtår' is key
Always check if 'påtår ingår' (refill included) at cafes to save money!
Strong Coffee
Swedish coffee is traditionally very strong compared to American drip coffee. Be prepared!
Test Yourself
Fill in the correct form of the verb 'dricka'.
Igår ______ jag kaffe med min mormor.
'Igår' (yesterday) requires the past tense.
Which sentence is a natural social invitation?
How do you ask a friend to have coffee?
'Ska vi...' is the standard way to propose an activity.
Match the Swedish phrase with its English meaning.
Match the following:
Basic coffee vocabulary.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Är du trött? B: Ja, jag behöver ______.
You drink (dricka) coffee, you don't eat it.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Ways to drink coffee in Sweden
Types
- • Svart kaffe
- • Kaffe med mjölk
- • Bryggkaffe
Practice Bank
4 exercisesIgår ______ jag kaffe med min mormor.
'Igår' (yesterday) requires the past tense.
How do you ask a friend to have coffee?
'Ska vi...' is the standard way to propose an activity.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
Basic coffee vocabulary.
A: Är du trött? B: Ja, jag behöver ______.
You drink (dricka) coffee, you don't eat it.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
2 questionsTechnically no, but if someone invites you to 'dricka kaffe', it's perfectly fine to join them and order tea instead.
'Dricka kaffe' is the literal action. 'Fika' is the social concept that usually includes coffee and a snack.
Related Phrases
Fika
similarCoffee break with snacks
Ta en påtår
builds onHave a refill
Kaffepaus
synonymCoffee break
