From ‘Cha’ to ‘Tea’: How a Drink Traveled the World

Ever noticed that almost every language calls tea some version of either “tea” or “cha”? It’s one of those weird yet fascinating quirks of history. From the bustling tea houses of China to the elegant afternoon teas of England, the name you use for tea tells a fascinating story of trade, culture, and history. Let's dive into it.

Why Are There Only Two Words for Tea?

Tea originally comes from China, and depending on where it was traded, different regions picked up different names for it. There are two main ways tea spread across the world:

“Cha” (茶) – Used in countries that received tea via land trade routes.
“Tea” – Derived from “te” in the Min Nan Chinese dialect, used in countries that received tea via sea trade routes.

The “Cha” Route: Land Trade Across Asia

The Silk Road carried tea from China to Central Asia, the Middle East, and Russia. The Chinese word for tea in these regions was “chá” (茶), which became “cha” in Hindi, “chay” in Persian, and “çay” in Turkish.

Mandarin: 茶 (chá)
Japanese: 茶 (cha)
Korean: 차 (cha)
Hindi: चाय (chai)
Russian: чай (chay)
Arabic: شاي (shay).

The “Tea” Route: Sea Trade with Europe

The Dutch were the first to bring tea to Europe by ship in the early 17th century. They got their supply from Fujian, where the local dialect pronounces tea as “te” (茶). This pronunciation travelled with them, turning into “thee” in Dutch, “thé” in French, and “tea” in English.

English: Tea
Dutch: Thee
French: Thé
Spanish: Té
German: Tee

A Drink That Connects the World

Whether you call it tea or cha, the story of tea’s name is a testament to its journey across the globe. From ancient Chinese dynasties to modern-day matcha lattes, tea continues to be a symbol of culture, connection, and calm energy.

So, how do you take your tea—by land or by sea? 😉🍵