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How to Say ‘A quick coffee’ in German

Einen kurzen Kaffee

EYE-nen KOORTS-en ka-FAY

[EYE-nen KOORTS-en ka-FAY]

💬 Usage Tip: After für, ein becomes einen: für einen kurzen Kaffee. You see the same change in für einen Termin or für einen Moment.

🇩🇪 In Germany: In German networking, suggesting einen kurzen Kaffee is common shorthand for a brief, low-commitment meeting. It does not have to mean literally only coffee; it can just mean a short chat.

Phrase Breakdown

Einen

[EYE-nen]

Form of the indefinite article used here before a masculine noun in the accusative case.

Example

Ich hätte gerne einen Termin am Freitag.

I would like an appointment on Friday.

kurzen

[KOORTS-en]

short

Describes something brief in duration.

Example

Ein kurzen Kaffee nach dem Termin fände ich nett.

I would find a short coffee after the appointment nice.

Kaffee

[ka-FAY]

coffee

Often used as shorthand for an informal coffee meeting.

Example

Lass uns auf einen Kaffee treffen.

Let's meet for a coffee.

Guides for German learners

Duolingo vs Pimsleur: Tapping on a Screen or Talking Out Loud?Duolingo vs Pimsleur: five minutes of tapping versus thirty minutes of speaking. What each is good at, what each costs, and which to pick for your goal.

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