coffee

coffee — noun

1. a fine brown powder produced by grinding coffee beans, used for brewing a hot dr

1.名詞A1
釋義

a fine brown powder produced by grinding coffee beans, used for brewing a hot drink

例句

Aiko bought a bag of freshly ground coffee from the shop on the corner.

collocation: freshly ground coffee

The recipe calls for two tablespoons of instant coffee mixed with warm milk.

collocation: instant coffee

用法筆記

In everyday English, 'coffee' alone usually refers to the powder. Use 'ground coffee' or 'instant coffee' to specify the type.

常見錯誤

I bought a coffee powder.
I bought some coffee.
💡'coffee powder' is not natural; the powder itself is simply called 'coffee'.

2. a tropical bush or small tree that produces the beans used to make coffee powder

2.名詞B1
釋義

a tropical bush or small tree that produces the beans used to make coffee powder

例句

Coffee plants need a warm climate with plenty of rain to grow well.

collocation: coffee plant + grow

The Watanabe family has grown coffee on their farm for three generations.

collocation: grow coffee

用法筆記

This sense is less common in everyday conversation. It appears mainly in discussions about farming, trade, or botany.

3. a dark, hot beverage prepared by adding hot water to ground coffee, often drunk

3.名詞A1
釋義

a dark, hot beverage prepared by adding hot water to ground coffee, often drunk in the morning or after meals

例句

Leila ordered a black coffee while she waited for her train.

countable: a coffee = a cup of coffee

Would you like a cup of coffee before we start the meeting?

polite offer: Would you like...?

同義詞
  • brew

    informal, common in British English ('fancy a brew?')

  • java

    slang, mainly US English

  • joe

    slang, US English ('cup of joe')

用法筆記

Can be countable when ordering or referring to individual servings ('Two coffees, please'). Uncountable when talking about the drink in general ('I like coffee').

常見錯誤

Can I have two coffee?
Can I have two coffees?
💡When ordering, 'coffee' becomes countable and takes a plural -s.