refresco
Spain, Mexico
Spanish speakers name a fizzy soft drink differently by country. It is a refresco in Spain and Mexico, a gaseosa in Argentina, Colombia and Peru and a bebida in Chile.
Meaning: fizzy soft drink (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | Note |
|---|---|
| refresco | Spain, Mexico |
| Gaseosa | Argentina, Colombia, Peru |
| Bebida | Chile |
Waiters understand all of these terms, but the local word makes you sound more natural when you order.
Which one should you use?
A brand name is often used for any cola, for example una Coca, even when the drink is another brand.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Chile bebida means a soft drink, so a waiter asking ¿Quieres una bebida? is offering a fizzy drink and not just any drink.
Did you know?
- In Argentina soda usually means sparkling water, often served from a siphon.
Examples in context
- Quiero un refresco bien frío.I want a very cold soda.
- ¿Me trae una gaseosa, por favor?Could you bring me a soda, please?
- Pedimos pizza y una bebida grande.We ordered pizza and a big soda.
Example conversation
Camila orders lunch in Bogotá.
- CamilaBuenas, quiero el almuerzo del día.Hello, I would like the lunch of the day.
- Mesero¿Y para tomar?And to drink?
- CamilaUna gaseosa, por favor.A soda, please.
