The word 'teahouse' is a transparent English compound formed from two distinct linguistic streams. 'Tea' entered European languages in the 17th century, originating from the Minnan Chinese dialect word 'tê', reflecting the beverage's Chinese origins. 'House' is a native English word of Germanic origin, from Old English 'hūs', meaning a dwelling or building. The compound logically combines these elements to denote a building or establishment whose primary function is the serving and consumption of tea, a concept that spread from East Asia to the West along trade routes.

Structure: tea + house tea: From the Chinese (Minnan dialect) word 'tê', via Dutch. The functional role is the core concept, specifying the primary beverage served. house: From Old English 'hūs', meaning a building for human habitation or a specific purpose. The functional role is to specify the type of establishment or building.