Beverage refers to any prepared drink intended for human consumption.
Word in 30 Seconds
- A general term for all drinkable liquids except pure water.
- Commonly used to refer to juices, sodas, and tea.
- Essential vocabulary for ordering food and grocery shopping.
概览：饮料（yǐnliào）是一个涵盖范围极广的词汇。在中文里，凡是液体状态、除了纯水以外的饮品，通常都可以被称为“饮料”。它不仅包含了超市里售卖的瓶装或罐装饮品，也包括了现调的饮品。
- 1使用模式：在句子中，“饮料”通常作为名词使用。我们可以说“喝饮料”、“买饮料”或者“这种饮料”。它常作为宾语出现在动词后面。虽然它是一个统称，但在口语中，人们往往会根据具体种类细分，例如说“喝果汁”或“喝可乐”，但在需要泛指时，“饮料”是最合适的词。
Examples
你想喝什么饮料？
everydayWhat kind of beverage would you like to drink?
本店提供多种进口饮料。
formalOur store provides a variety of imported beverages.
少喝点碳酸饮料，对牙齿不好。
informalDrink less carbonated beverages; they are bad for your teeth.
含糖饮料的摄入与肥胖率密切相关。
academicThe intake of sugary beverages is closely related to obesity rates.
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
饮料区
Beverage section
冷饮
Cold drink
热饮
Hot drink
Often Confused With
Water is a specific substance, whereas '饮料' is a general category for processed liquids.
Alcoholic drinks are usually excluded from the general category of '饮料' in daily casual speech.
Grammar Patterns
How to Use It
Usage Notes
The term '饮料' is neutral and widely used in both formal and informal contexts. It is the standard word for 'beverage' in menus and store labels. Avoid using it for food items or plain water unless necessary.
Common Mistakes
Beginners sometimes use '喝水' when they actually mean a commercial beverage like soda. Remember that '水' specifically means water, while '饮料' implies a flavored or processed drink. Also, do not confuse it with '食物' (food).
Tips
Use as a general category label
Use '饮料' when you want to refer to a variety of drinks collectively, such as in a supermarket section or a menu category.
Don't confuse with alcohol
While '饮料' can technically include alcohol, in daily conversation, it usually implies non-alcoholic beverages. Use '酒' if you specifically mean alcoholic drinks.
Tea culture in China
In China, tea is often considered a distinct category from commercial '饮料'. When someone offers you a drink, they might specifically ask if you want tea or a commercial beverage.
Word Origin
The word is formed by the verb '饮' (to drink) and the noun '料' (material/stuff). Combined, it refers to substances prepared for the purpose of drinking.
Cultural Context
In modern Chinese society, the beverage market is huge, ranging from traditional tea-based drinks to trendy bubble tea. The term '饮料' is the standard label used in grocery stores to categorize all non-alcoholic, non-water drinks.
Memory Tip
Think of the characters: '饮' (drink) + '料' (material/ingredient). It is literally 'drinkable material'.
Frequently Asked Questions
4 questions在严格的分类中，纯水通常不被称为饮料，因为饮料强调经过加工或具有特定口味。但在日常生活中，人们有时会把瓶装矿泉水放在饮料柜里销售。
“饮料”是一个名词，比较正式；“喝的”是口语化的表达，涵盖范围更广，甚至可以包含汤或水。
是的，热的咖啡、奶茶或热巧克力都属于饮料的范畴。饮料并不限制温度。
普通饮料通常被称为“软饮”，酒精饮料则直接称为“酒”。
Test Yourself
天气太热了，我想去买一瓶___。
因为后面接的是“买一瓶”，这里需要一个可饮用的液体。
以下选项中哪一个最不符合定义？
米饭是主食，属于固体食物，而非液体饮料。
喜欢 / 我 / 喝 / 饮料 / 不。
标准的中文主谓宾结构。
Score: /3
Summary
Beverage refers to any prepared drink intended for human consumption.
- A general term for all drinkable liquids except pure water.
- Commonly used to refer to juices, sodas, and tea.
- Essential vocabulary for ordering food and grocery shopping.
Use as a general category label
Use '饮料' when you want to refer to a variety of drinks collectively, such as in a supermarket section or a menu category.
Don't confuse with alcohol
While '饮料' can technically include alcohol, in daily conversation, it usually implies non-alcoholic beverages. Use '酒' if you specifically mean alcoholic drinks.
Tea culture in China
In China, tea is often considered a distinct category from commercial '饮料'. When someone offers you a drink, they might specifically ask if you want tea or a commercial beverage.
Examples
4 of 4你想喝什么饮料？
What kind of beverage would you like to drink?
本店提供多种进口饮料。
Our store provides a variety of imported beverages.
少喝点碳酸饮料，对牙齿不好。
Drink less carbonated beverages; they are bad for your teeth.
含糖饮料的摄入与肥胖率密切相关。
The intake of sugary beverages is closely related to obesity rates.
Related Content
This Word in Other Languages
Related Grammar Rules
Related Phrases
Related Vocabulary
More food words
一斤
B1Half a kilogram; a Chinese unit of weight (approx. 500g).
一两
B1Fifty grams; a Chinese unit of weight (approx. 50g).
AA制
A2To split the bill; go Dutch.
一袋
B1A bag of.
一口
B1A mouthful; a bite; a small amount (of food or drink).
少一点儿
A2A bit less.
多一点儿
A2A bit more.
一瓶
B1A bottle of.
一碗
B1Measure word for a bowl of food.
一盒
B1A box of.
