炭酸水
tansansui[tã̠ɰ̃sã̠ɰ̃sɨi]
The Japanese phrase for "sparkling water" is 炭酸水 (tansansui).
炭酸水 refers specifically to water that contains carbon dioxide gas to create bubbles.
Which one should you use?
While 炭酸水 is the technical term for carbonated water, people often use the loanword スパークリングウォーター (supākuringu wōtā) in cafes or restaurants.
How do you pronounce it?
tansansui
Did you know?
- The word 炭酸 (tansan) is used for both 'carbonic acid' and 'carbonation', meaning you are literally calling your drink 'carbonic acid water'.
- In Japan, you can buy 炭酸水 in 'strong' versions that are far more carbonated than typical Western sparkling waters, often labeled as 強炭酸 (kyō-tansan).
- When ordering sparkling water in a restaurant, if you ask for ガス入り (gasu-iri), you are literally asking for water 'with gas'.
Examples in context
- 申し訳ありませんが、スパークリングワーターをお願いできますか？I'm sorry, can I have some sparkling water please?
- 炭酸水はありますか？tansansui wa arimasu ka?Do you have sparkling water?
- 冷たい炭酸水が飲みたいです。tsumetai tansansui ga nomitai desu.I want to drink cold sparkling water.
- この炭酸水はとても美味しいです。kono tansansui wa totemo oishii desu.This sparkling water is very delicious.
Example conversation
At a restaurant, Misaki and Yota are ordering drinks.
- 美咲 Misaki陽太くん、飲み物は何にする？Yota-kun, nomimono wa nani ni suru?Yota, what will you have to drink?
- 陽太 Yota僕は炭酸水にするよ。Boku wa tansansui ni suru yo.I will have sparkling water.
- 美咲 Misakiじゃあ、私も炭酸水をお願い。Jaa, watashi mo tansansui o onegai.Then, a sparkling water for me too, please.
- 陽太 Yota了解、注文してくるね。Ryoukai, chuumon shite kuru ne.Got it, I'll go order them.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 炭酸水, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 炭酸水, CC BY-SA 4.0.
