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 |
These terms all refer to a sweet, carbonated drink. While refresco is a general term for a soft drink, gaseosa specifically emphasizes the carbonation (gas).
Which one should you use?
Bebida is a generic term for any drink, including soda, but is less specific than refresco or gaseosa.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
In many Spanish-speaking countries, especially in Latin America, people use the word soda in informal contexts. In Mexico, the slang term chesco is used colloquially. In Spain, the word casera is used colloquially.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Chile, soda is the standard term used to refer to carbonated soft drinks. In Argentina and parts of Colombia, the word gaseosa is used to refer to soda. In Mexico, chesco is a common slang term for soda. In Venezuela, fresco is a common way to refer to a soda or soft drink. In Spain, casera is a colloquial option. The term refresco is used in Bolivia, Cuba, Honduras, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Spain, Venezuela.
How do you pronounce it?
/reˈfɾesko/
Did you know?
- If you are in Spain and want to sound more local when ordering a soda, you might ask for a casera, which literally translates to 'homemade'.
- The term soda is actually a doublet of the older Spanish word sosa, which was acquired from Catalan.
- In some contexts, the word soda refers specifically to plain carbonated water rather than a sweetened soft drink.
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 in a question about wanting more.Tatoeba #4761319 by AucaCoyan, translation #2026860 by CK
- ¿Preferís cerveza, vodka, vino o gaseosa?Do you prefer beer, vodka, wine, or soda?This sentence uses gaseosa to offer a choice between several drinks.Tatoeba #5057893 by don_ramon, translation #5057673 by mailohilohi
- Por favor, ¿me podría traer un refresco?Could you please bring me a soda?
- Me gustaría pedir una gaseosa, por favorI would like to order a soda, please
- Oye, ¿me traes una soda?Hey, can you bring me a soda?
- ¿Quieres tomar una cola?Do you want to have a soda?
- Voy a tomar una gaseosa de marca Coca-ColaI'm going to have a Coca-Cola soda
- 8 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Alejandro and Sofía are having lunch at a restaurant.
- AlejandroSofía, ¿quieres un refresco?Sofía, do you want a soda?
- SofíaSí, por favor, un refresco de naranja.Yes, please, an orange soda.
- AlejandroPerfecto, yo pediré uno también.Perfect, I will order one too.
- SofíaGracias, Alejandro.Thank you, Alejandro.
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.
