cola
The French word for cola is cola.
cola refers to the type of soft drink. In casual speech, you may hear the phrase un cola used to refer to a specific glass or bottle of the drink.
Meaning: drink (noun)
Which one should you use?
While cola describes the beverage type, the term un Coca is the common way to refer specifically to the Coca-Cola brand.
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun cola is masculine, appearing as le cola.
Did you know?
- In many French-speaking regions, particularly in Africa, cola can also refer to the kola nut, a stimulant used in traditional ceremonies and rituals.
- French speakers often use un Coca to refer to any cola drink even if it is a store brand, meaning the brand name has effectively become a common noun.
- In the hierarchy of French dining, ordering un cola in a fine-dining establishment is often seen as a social faux pas compared to ordering 'vin' or 'eau minérale'.
Examples in context
- Ouvre une nouvelle bouteille de Coca-Cola !Open another bottle of Coca-Cola.This sentence shows how to use the term cola when asking to open a bottle.Tatoeba #5481196 by nimfeo, translation #2267631 by _undertoad
- On peut voir des publicités Coca-Cola dans le monde entier.Coca-Cola advertisements can be seen all over the world.This sentence uses cola in the context of global advertisements.Tatoeba #11750361 by lbdx, translation #62173 by CN
- Pendant un temps, j'étais vraiment accro au cola et j'en buvais tous les jours.For a while, I was really addicted to cola and drank it every day.This sentence demonstrates the use of cola when describing a habit or addiction.Tatoeba #11542329 by Aiji, translation #1994691 by CK
- Je voudrais un soda cola, s'il vous plaît.I would like a cola soda, please.
- Est-ce que vous avez une boisson gazeuse au cola ?Do you have a carbonated cola beverage?
- Avez-vous une boisson au goût de cola dans votre menu ?Do you have a cola-flavored beverage on your menu?
- Je vais prendre un Coca, s'il te plaît.I'll have a cola, please.
- 6 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Léa and Lucas are at a restaurant.
- LéaTu veux un cola ?Do you want a cola?
- LucasOui, je prends un cola, merci.Yes, I'll have a cola, thanks.
- LéaIl y a aussi de l'eau minérale.There is also mineral water.
- LucasNon, je préfère le cola.No, I prefer cola.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
