饮料

• Pinyin: yǐn liào
• Hanzi breakdown: 饮 = 饣(food) + 欠, to drink; 料 = 米 (rice) + 斗, material/ingredient

Meaning

Beverage; drink. Any liquid intended for drinking, excluding plain water.

A general term for all types of drinks including soft drinks, juices, tea, coffee, and alcoholic beverages. In daily life, often refers specifically to soft drinks or packaged beverages. Common compounds: 碳酸饮料 (carbonated drinks), 含糖饮料 (sugary drinks).

Examples

1. 夏天大家都喜欢喝冰镇饮料解暑。 In summer, everyone likes to drink iced beverages to cool down.
2. 医生建议少喝含糖饮料，多喝白开水。 The doctor recommends drinking fewer sugary drinks and more plain water.
3. 超市的饮料区有各种品牌可以选择。 The supermarket's beverage section has various brands to choose from.

Usage Guide

Context: food, shopping, everyday

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 你想喝什么饮料？(What beverage would you like?)
• 这种饮料不含咖啡因。(This drink doesn't contain caffeine.)

Don't Say

• 我喝水饮料 (水 is not a 饮料 in common usage — 饮料 implies processed/flavored drinks)

Origin & History

Compound of 饮 (to drink) and 料 (material, ingredient). Together they mean 'drinking material/substance.'

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal