What does "Afternoon tea" mean?

Traditional British meal of tea, sandwiches, scones, and cakes served mid-afternoon Formal British tradition of tea with finger sandwiches, scones with cream and jam, and pastries. Usually around 4pm.

How do you use "Afternoon tea" in a sentence?

Afternoon tea at the Ritz. Booking afternoon tea. Traditional afternoon tea. Cream tea is similar.

Afternoon tea

Slang Term BritishAustralian ★★★★☆ Common Formal

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Meaning: Traditional British meal of tea, sandwiches, scones, and cakes served mid-afternoon

传统的英式下午茶，包括茶、三明治、司康和蛋糕

Comida tradicional británica de té, sándwiches, scones y pasteles servida a media tarde

午後に提供される紅茶、サンドイッチ、スコーン、ケーキの伝統的なイギリス式食事

오후에 제공되는 차, 샌드위치, 스콘, 케이크로 구성된 전통 영국식 식사

Formal British tradition of tea with finger sandwiches, scones with cream and jam, and pastries. Usually around 4pm.

正式的英国传统，包括小三明治、配奶油和果酱的司康、以及点心。通常在下午4点左右。

Tradición formal británica de té con mini sándwiches, scones con nata y mermelada, y pasteles. Normalmente sobre las 4 de la tarde.

フィンガーサンドイッチ、クリームとジャムを添えたスコーン、ペストリーと一緒に紅茶を楽しむイギリスの正式な伝統。通常午後4時頃。

핑거 샌드위치, 크림과 잼을 곁들인 스콘, 페이스트리와 함께 차를 마시는 격식 있는 영국 전통. 보통 오후 4시경.

Examples

Afternoon tea at the Ritz.
在丽兹酒店喝下午茶
té de la tarde en el Ritz
リッツでアフタヌーンティー
리츠에서 애프터눈 티.
Booking afternoon tea.
预订下午茶
reservando el té de la tarde
アフタヌーンティーを予約する
애프터눈 티를 예약한다.
Traditional afternoon tea.
传统下午茶
té de la tarde tradicional
伝統的なアフタヌーンティー
전통 애프터눈 티.
Cream tea is similar.
奶油茶类似
el cream tea es similar
クリームティーも似ている
크림 티도 비슷하다.

Pronunciation

/ˌɑːftəˈnuːn tiː/

Usage Guide

Context: special occasions, hotels, tradition

Tone: refined, traditional

✓ Do Say

Afternoon tea.
下午茶
té de la tarde
アフタヌーンティー
애프터눈 티
High tea.
高茶
high tea
ハイティー
하이 티
Cream tea.
奶油茶
cream tea
クリームティー
크림 티

✗ Don't Say

High tea is different (more substantial)
High tea is different (more substantial)（高茶不同，更丰盛）
El high tea es diferente (más contundente)
High tea is different (more substantial)（ハイティーは違う、より本格的な食事）
하이 티는 다름 (더 든든한 식사)
Cream tea is simpler
Cream tea is simpler（奶油茶更简单）
El cream tea es más sencillo
Cream tea is simpler（クリームティーはもっとシンプル）
크림 티는 더 간소함

Common Mistakes

Afternoon tea ≠ high tea
High tea is actually more substantial, working-class

Origin & History

Invented by Anna, Duchess of Bedford, in 1840s to bridge gap between lunch and dinner.

Etymology: From the afternoon timing

First recorded: British tradition from 1840s

Cultural Context

Era: 1840s onwards

Generation: All ages

Social background: Upper-class origins, now tourist/special occasion

Pop culture: British upper-class tradition; Hotel culture

Regional notes: British institution. Tourist attraction. High tea is different.

Variations

Afternoon teaHigh teaCream tea