cafeteria
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cafeteria
A cafeteria or large dining hall, especially at a university or school, where students and staff can get inexpensive meals.
In der Mittagspause treffen wir uns immer in der Mensa zum Essen.
During lunch break, we always meet in the cafeteria to eat.
The word 'Mensa' (cafeteria) is used almost exclusively for cafeterias at universities, colleges, and sometimes schools. It is not a general word for a company cafeteria or canteen.
Als Student habe ich fast jeden Tag in der Mensa gegessen.
As a student, I ate in the cafeteria almost every day.
Pay attention to the difference between 'in der Mensa' (in the cafeteria; dative, for a location) and 'in die Mensa' (into/to the cafeteria; accusative, for a direction). This distinction is important for all expressions of place in German.
Wir treffen uns um 12 Uhr in der Mensa.
We're meeting at 12 o'clock in the cafeteria.
In everyday student life, you often hear fixed combinations such as 'das Mensaessen' (the cafeteria food), 'der Mensaplan' (the weekly menu), or simply 'in der Mensa essen gehen' (to go eat in the cafeteria).
Hast du schon gesehen, was es heute auf dem Mensaplan gibt?
Have you already seen what's on the cafeteria menu today?
canteen / cafeteria
Both words refer to a dining hall that usually serves inexpensive meals. Mensa is used especially for universities or schools, whereas Kantine is more general and is often part of a company, public authority, or barracks. In a university setting, people therefore usually say Mensa; at a workplace, they usually say Kantine.
Nach der Vorlesung essen die Studierenden in der Mensa zu Mittag.
After the lecture, the students have lunch in the cafeteria.
Nach der Besprechung essen die Mitarbeiter in der Kantine zu Mittag.
After the meeting, the employees have lunch in the canteen.
