cafeteria
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cafeteria
A self-service restaurant, often in public institutions such as universities, hospitals, or large companies, where you choose and pay for food and drinks at a counter.
In der Mittagspause treffen wir uns immer in der Cafeteria der Uni.
During the lunch break, we always meet in the university cafeteria.
Since a cafeteria is a place, the preposition 'in' is used with the dative or accusative depending on the situation. 'In die Cafeteria gehen' (to go into/to the cafeteria; direction, accusative) describes movement toward it, while 'in der Cafeteria sein' (to be in the cafeteria; location, dative) describes being there.
Lass uns zum Mittagessen in die Cafeteria gehen.
Let's go to the cafeteria for lunch.
A 'Cafeteria' (cafeteria) is typically not a public restaurant on the street. You almost always find one inside a larger institution, for example in a university, a hospital, a museum, or a large company.
Die Mitarbeiter können in der firmeneigenen Cafeteria günstig essen.
The employees can eat cheaply in the company's own cafeteria.
Common verbs used in connection with a 'Cafeteria' (cafeteria) are 'sich treffen' (to meet), 'essen' (to eat), or 'sich etwas holen' (to get oneself something).
Wir treffen uns nach der Vorlesung in der Cafeteria auf einen Kaffee.
We're meeting in the cafeteria for a coffee after the lecture.
restaurant
'Restaurant' and 'Cafeteria' are both places where you can eat and drink something. The difference is mainly in the type of service and the location. In a restaurant, you often order at the table and are served. In a cafeteria, you usually take the food yourself at a counter and pay directly there. Cafeterias are often found in universities, hospitals, or large companies. The words can be confused because you can eat in both places. For dinner with table service, you are more likely to say 'Restaurant'; for a quick meal in an institution, 'Cafeteria' is more likely.
In der Cafeteria der Universität kauft sich Ali jeden Mittag eine Suppe.
In the university cafeteria, Ali buys himself a soup every lunchtime.
Am Samstag haben wir in einem italienischen Restaurant gegessen.
On Saturday, we ate at an Italian restaurant.