Ways to say it
| Portuguese | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| refrigerante | /ʁe.fɾi.ʒeˈɾɐ̃.t͡ʃi/ (Brazil) /ʁe.fɾi.ʒeˈɾɐ̃.t͡ʃi/ (Rio de Janeiro) |
masculine |
| refri | /ʁeˈfɾi/ (Brazil) /ˈʁɛ.fɾi/ (Brazil) |
masculine |
| refresco | /ʁeˈfɾes.ku/ (Brazil) /ʁeˈfɾeʃ.ku/ (Rio de Janeiro) |
masculine |
| soda | /ˈsɔ.dɐ/ (Brazil) /ˈsɔ.dɐ/ (Portugal) |
feminine |
The terms used describe sweet, carbonated drinks. If you want to order a soda in a can, you can use the word lata or you can request it with ice by saying com gelo.
Which one should you use?
The forms vary based on context and location. refrigerante is the standard term, while refri is a popular, shortened version used in Brazil. In some parts of Portugal, such as the Azores and Madeira, the word sumo is used to refer to flavored sodas or carbonated fruit juices.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
For a very formal context, one might use the phrase Bebida gaseificada, which literally means carbonated drink. In casual conversation, the colloquial shortening refri is very common in Brazil.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In certain regions of Portugal, like Madeira and the Azores, sumo can be used to indicate flavored sodas or carbonated fruit juices.
How does it change in a sentence?
refrigerante is a masculine noun. Consequently, you must use masculine articles and adjectives with it, such as o refrigerante gelado (the cold soda). The form soda is feminine, and refri, refrigerante and refresco are masculine.
How do you pronounce it?
The word refrigerante has five syllables. The stress is on the fourth syllable. The pronunciation is /ʁe.fɾi.ʒeˈɾɐ̃.tʃi/.
Did you know?
- In Brazil, asking for uma soda in a restaurant often results in getting a sparkling water or a club soda rather than a sweet cola.
- The word refrigerante actually comes from the Latin word for 'to refresh'. It describes the physical sensation of the drink cooling you down.
- In some Portuguese-speaking regions, the word refresco can refer to a non-carbonated fruit drink, creating a distinction between 'fizzy' and 'still' drinks.
Examples in context
- Prefiro refrigerante a suco.I prefer soda to juice.This sentence expresses a preference for soda over juice.Tatoeba #1063062 by alexmarcelo, translation #8350097 by lucasmg123
- Gostaria de um refrigerante.I'd like a soda.This sentence is useful for ordering a soda.Tatoeba #1926683 by alexmarcelo, translation #1070860 by CM
- Você bebe refrigerante diet?Do you drink diet soda?This sentence asks if someone drinks diet soda.Tatoeba #5633993 by bill, translation #4879971 by CK
- Por favor, eu gostaria de um refrigerante.Please, I would like a soda.
- Você poderia me trazer um refri?Could you bring me a soda?
- refri de laranja, lataOrange soda, can
- 16 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Felipe and Beatriz are at a restaurant.
- FelipeBeatriz, você quer um refrigerante?Beatriz, do you want a soda?
- BeatrizSim, eu gostaria de um refrigerante de limão.Yes, I would like a lemon soda.
- FelipeEu vou pedir um para mim também.I will order one for myself too.
- BeatrizPerfeito, vamos pedir agora.Perfect, let's order now.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “soda” translations and entries refrigerante, refri, refresco, soda, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries refresco, refrigerante, soda, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
