탄산음료
tansaneumnyo[ˈtʰa̠(ː)nsʰa̠nɯmɲo]
The Korean word for soda is 탄산음료 (tansaneumnyo).
탄산음료 is used to describe the general category of sweet, carbonated drinks. In casual conversation, speakers often shorten this to 탄산 to refer to carbonated drinks or the carbonation itself.
Meaning: sweet, carbonated drink (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word is composed of 탄산, meaning carbonic acid or carbonation and 음료, meaning drink or beverage.
Which one should you use?
While 탄산음료 is the general term for all carbonated drinks, the word 사이다 is often used specifically to refer to lemon-lime flavored sodas like Sprite or 7-Up.
How do you pronounce it?
tansaneumnyo
Did you know?
- In Korea, the word 사이다 is used as a slang term to describe a feeling of refreshing justice or a direct answer that clears up a frustrating situation.
- If you order a 사이다 at a restaurant, you will not receive a generic cola, but a lemon-lime soda similar to Sprite.
- In casual settings, Koreans may use the word 톡 쏘다 to describe the 'stinging' or 'popping' sensation of the carbonation in 탄산음료.
Examples in context
- 탄산음료를 좋아해요.tansaneumryoreul joahae-yo.I like carbonated drinks.
- 식사 후에 탄산음료를 마셔요.siksa hu-e tansaneumryoreul masyeo-yo.I drink a soda after a meal.
- 편의점에 탄산음료가 많아요.pyeonijeome tansaneumryoga manh-ayo.There are many sodas at the convenience store.
Example conversation
Hyunwoo and Subin are deciding what to order at a cafe.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo수빈 씨, 탄산음료 마실래요?Subin ssi, tansaneumryu masil-laeyo?Subin, do you want to drink a soda?
- 수빈 Su-bin아니요, 저는 차를 마실게요.Aniyo, jeoneun chareul masil-geyo.No, I will drink tea.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo그럼 제가 탄산음료를 주문할게요.Geureom jega tansaneumryoreul jumun-hal-geyo.Then I will order a soda.
- 수빈 Su-bin네, 고마워요, 현우 씨.Ne, goma-woyo, Hyunwoo ssi.Okay, thank you, Hyunwoo.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “soda” translations and entries 탄산음료, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
