coffee shop

IPA/ˈkɒfi ʃɒp/
IPA/ˈkɔːfi ʃɑːp/

coffee shop — noun

1. a small, relaxed eating place where you can buy drinks such as coffee and tea, a

1.名詞A2
釋義

a small, relaxed eating place where you can buy drinks such as coffee and tea, along with light meals like sandwiches, cakes, and pastries

例句

The coffee shop on Elm Street serves excellent cappuccinos and fresh pastries.

subject + location phrase + verb + object

Beatrix and Saira met at a quiet coffee shop to discuss their project.

collocation: at a [adjective] coffee shop

同義詞
  • café

    the most common alternative, used worldwide; slightly more formal in some regions

  • coffeehouse

    more traditional or literary tone; often suggests a place with a relaxed, artistic atmosphere

  • caff

    British informal shortening of 'café'; very casual

文法句型

coffee shop + verb (serves/offers/has)

at/in a coffee shop

用法筆記

In many countries, 'coffee shop' and 'café' are used interchangeably for this sense. In the US, a coffee shop usually has counter service and a casual atmosphere; in Britain, the term 'café' (or informally 'caff') is more common.

常見錯誤

I had a three-course dinner at the coffee shop.
I had lunch at the coffee shop.
💡Coffee shops typically serve light meals and snacks, not full-course dinners.

2. a retail store that sells coffee for home preparation, such as whole beans, grou

2.名詞B1
釋義

a retail store that sells coffee for home preparation, such as whole beans, grounds, or brewing gear, rather than serving drinks for on-site consumption

例句

Quan bought Ethiopian coffee beans from a local coffee shop.

buy [type of coffee] from a coffee shop

The coffee shop near the station sells rare single-origin beans.

coffee shop + sells + [product type]

同義詞
  • roastery

    a place that roasts coffee beans; more specialized and implies on-site roasting

  • coffee retailer

    formal term; can include online sellers

  • coffee store

    direct synonym; less common in everyday speech

文法句型

coffee shop + verb (sells/roasts/stocks)

buy [coffee] from a coffee shop

用法筆記

Distinguish from sense 1 (INFORMAL RESTAURANT): sense 2 focuses on the retail sale of coffee products for home use. A coffee shop of this type may or may not have seating for drinking coffee on site. Adding 'specialty' or 'roastery' before 'coffee shop' clarifies this meaning.

常見錯誤

I went to a coffee shop to study for my exam.' (ambiguous — could mean either sense).
Use 'I went to a café to study' for sense 1, or 'I went to a specialty coffee shop to buy beans' for sense 2.