refrigerante
/ʁe.fɾi.ʒeˈɾɐ̃.t͡ʃi/masculine
The English phrase "soda pop" is translated into Portuguese as refrigerante.
The term refrigerante is the standard word used across both Brazil and Portugal to refer to any carbonated soft drink.
Meaning: sweetened, carbonated beverage (noun)
Which one should you use?
While refrigerante refers specifically to carbonated beverages, the word refresco is often used to describe non-carbonated fruit juices or fruit-flavored drinks.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In some regions, particularly in Portugal, the phrase bebida gaseificada is used to refer to soda pop.
How does it change in a sentence?
refrigerante is a masculine noun. The plural form is refrigerantes.
How do you pronounce it?
/ʁe.fɾi.ʒeˈɾɐ̃.tʃi/ (5 syllables, with the stress on the 4th syllable)
What mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid using the English word "soda" directly when speaking Portuguese. Instead, use refrigerante to be correct in a Portuguese-speaking context.
Did you know?
- If you ask for a 'soda' in a Brazilian restaurant, you might be misunderstood, as 'soda' often refers specifically to club soda or sparkling water.
- In Brazil, while refrigerante is the formal term, many people colloquially refer to these drinks simply as 'refri'.
- The word refrigerante shares its roots with the English word 'refrigerate', as both come from the Latin 'refrīgerō', meaning 'to refresh'.
Examples in context
- Me traz um refri, por favor?Could you bring me a soda pop, please?
- bebida gaseificadaCarbonated beverage
- Eu prefiro refrigerante de limão.I prefer lemon soda.
- O refrigerante está muito gelado.The soda is very cold.
- Não sobrou nenhum refrigerante na geladeira.There is no soda left in the refrigerator.
Example conversation
Camila and Lucas are at a restaurant.
- CamilaLucas, você quer beber alguma coisa?Lucas, do you want to drink something?
- LucasEu quero um refrigerante, por favor.I want a soda, please.
- CamilaEu vou pedir um suco.I am going to order a juice.
- LucasTudo bem, Camila.All right, Camila.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “soda pop” translations and entries refrigerante, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries refrigerante, CC BY-SA 4.0.
