Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| refresco | /reˈfɾesko/ | Bolivia, Cuba, Honduras, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Spain, Venezuela, masculine |
| gaseosa | /ɡaseˈosa/ | feminine |
| bebida | /beˈbida/ | feminine |
| soda | /ˈsoda/ | Chile, feminine |
| casera | /kaˈseɾa/ | Spain, colloquial, feminine |
| chesco | /ˈt͡ʃesko/ | Mexico, colloquial, masculine |
| fresco | /ˈfɾesko/ | Venezuela, masculine |
All these terms refer to a sweet, carbonated drink.
Which one should you use?
The forms differ primarily by region and social context. In certain areas, specialized terms like soda, chesco or fresco are used instead.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The term casera is a colloquial form used in Spain. In Mexico, chesco is a slang term often used by younger generations. In Venezuela, fresco is used colloquially.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Chile, the English loanword soda is commonly used. In Mexico, the slang term chesco is used. In Venezuela, the colloquial term fresco is common. The term refresco is used in Bolivia, Cuba, Honduras, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Spain and Venezuela. In Spain, the colloquial term casera is also used.
How does it change in a sentence?
Refresco is a masculine noun. If you are ordering multiple, you would use the plural form refrescos. Gaseosa, bebida, soda and casera are feminine, while chesco and fresco are masculine.
How do you pronounce it?
/reˈfɾesko/
Did you know?
- While English speakers use 'soda' to mean a carbonated beverage, in many Spanish-speaking countries, the word soda actually refers specifically to plain sparkling water without any syrup or flavor.
- The word soda entered Spanish in the 16th century from Italian, but its use as a beverage is a later semantic loan from English.
- In some Latin American countries, the word fresco can refer to both a carbonated soda and a non-carbonated fruit juice.
Examples in context
- Quisiera una botella de soda.I'd like a bottle of soda.This sentence shows how to use soda to request a bottle.Tatoeba #1386193 by marcelostockle, translation #680403 by Source_VOA
- ¿Estas seguro que no quieres otra Soda?Are you sure you don't want another soda?This sentence uses soda to offer another drink.Tatoeba #4761319 by AucaCoyan, translation #2026860 by CK
- ¿Preferís cerveza, vodka, vino o gaseosa?Do you prefer beer, vodka, wine, or soda?This sentence shows how to use gaseosa when listing drink preferences.Tatoeba #5057893 by don_ramon, translation #5057673 by mailohilohi
- Voy a pasar por la soda para tomar algo.I'm going to drop by the soda to have something to drink.
- ¿Conocés una buena soda cerca de aquí?Do you know a good soda near here?
- Quiero ir a la soda favorita de los ticos.I want to go to the ticos' favorite soda.
- 8 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Javier and María are ordering drinks at a restaurant.
- Javier¿Qué quieres beber, María?What do you want to drink, María?
- MaríaQuiero un refresco bien frío, por favor.I want a very cold soda, please.
- JavierYo también pediré un refresco.I will order a soda too.
- MaríaPerfecto, llamemos al camarero.Perfect, let's call the waiter.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “soda” translations and entries refresco, gaseosa, bebida, soda, casera, chesco, fresco, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries bebida, refresco, soda, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
