Drinks in Chinese
This list covers common drinks and related vocabulary in simplified Chinese for beginner to intermediate learners. It includes basic waters, teas, coffees, juices, dairy and alcoholic drinks, plus useful words for ordering — like temperature and sugar preferences. Handy for conversations in cafés, restaurants and shops.
- 水 shuǐ — water; liquid; body of water
- 白开水 báikāishuǐ — plain boiled (tap) water (cooled); boiled water served without additives
- 矿泉水 kuàngquánshuǐ — mineral water
- 汽水 qìshuǐ — soda pop; carbonated soft drink
- 可乐 kělè — amusing; entertaining
- 果汁 guǒzhī — fruit juice
- 橙汁 chéngzhī — orange juice
- 茶 chá — tea; tea plant
- 绿茶 lǜchá — green tea (the beverage)
- 红茶 hóngchá — black tea (the tea known in Chinese as red tea)
- 花茶 huāchá — scented tea (tea scented with flowers)
- 奶茶 nǎichá — milk tea (tea mixed with milk; commonly sold as a sweet beverage)
- 咖啡 kāfēi — coffee (loanword)
- 牛奶 niúnǎi — cow's milk; milk (drink)
- 豆浆 dòujiāng — soy milk
- 酸奶 suānnǎi — yogurt; fermented milk product
- 可可 kěkě — cocoa (the powder or seeds used to make chocolate)
- 啤酒 píjiǔ — beer (loanword)
- 红酒 hóngjiǔ — red wine (wine made from dark-colored grape varieties)
- 白酒 báijiǔ — baijiu — a strong distilled Chinese spirit, usually made from sorghum
- 黄酒 huángjiǔ — yellow wine; Chinese fermented rice wine (huangjiu), often served warm
- 鸡尾酒 jīwěijiǔ — cocktail
- 威士忌 wēishìjì — whiskey; whisky (loanword for the distilled spirit)
- 温水 wēnshuǐ — warm water; lukewarm water
- 热水 rèshuǐ — hot water (for drinking, washing, etc.)
- 吸管 xīguǎn — (drinking) straw; pipette; eyedropper; snorkel
- 杯 bēi — cup; drinking vessel; trophy cup
- 瓶 píng — bottle; vase; pitcher (a container for holding liquids)
- 喝 hē — to drink