汽水
hei3 seoi2
In Cantonese, soda is called 汽水 (hei3 seoi2).
The term 汽水 is a general term used for any carbonated soft drink, not just plain club soda.
Meaning: sweet, carbonated drink (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word 汽水 (hei3 seoi2) is composed of 汽 (gas/steam) and 水 (water), literally meaning "gas water."
How do you pronounce it?
hei3 seoi2
Did you know?
- Some elderly Cantonese speakers might refer to older brands of soda as 西洋水 ('Western water'), reflecting the era when carbonated drinks were first imported.
- The character 汽 (hei3) used in 汽水 is also the first character in the word for 'automobile', 汽車, because both were historically linked to the concept of steam or gas power.
- In Hong Kong, if you order 汽水 at a traditional cafe, you may be served it in a glass with a thick slice of lemon, even if you did not ask for one.
Examples in context
- 我想飲汽水。I want to drink soda.
Example conversation
Ka Ming and Mei Ling are at a restaurant.
- 家明 Ka Ming美玲，你想飲咩？mei5 ling4, nei5 soeng2 jam2 me1?Mei Ling, what do you want to drink?
- 美玲 Mei Ling我想飲汽水。ngo5 soeng2 jam2 hei3 seoi2.I want to drink soda.
- 家明 Ka Ming好，我幫你叫。hou2, ngo5 bong1 nei5 giu3.Okay, I will order it for you.
- 美玲 Mei Ling唔該晒你。m4 goi1 saai3 nei5.Thank you very much.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
