Coca Cola - Coke - Cola - Coca?!?

Question

Hey everyone,

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I recently struggled (well I did often with this) with ordering a Coca Cola in Spain. In Germany, we order a "Coke" or a "Cola", now I've been told that "Cola" means "tail" in Spanish...

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How do I correctly order this in Spain and in other Spanish speaking countries?

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Thanks for your help everyone!

Answer 1

In Spain, especially Madrid, you would say, "Tráigame una Coca-Cola." Bring me a Coca-Cola.

A friend of mine from South America but living in Madrid, says that this sounds rude to her Latin American ears, but this is how los Madrileños speak.

You could also say, "Una Coca-Cola, por favor," and get what you want.

"Una Coca-Cola, por favor" (Coca-Cola is feminine name, so you have to write "una"). "Tráigame una Coca-Cola" isn't rude at all in Spain - josemaloru, May 27, 2012

Hi Joyce. Looks like you and josemaloru are in agreement on how to say Coca Cola in Spain. - Nilda-Ballardo, May 27, 2012

thanks all of you, now I know :) - Machri, May 27, 2012

Una! My mistake. Thanks for the correction. - JoyceM, May 27, 2012

If you are in Spain, you can also order Fanta Limón. I like it better than Coca-Cola, and you cannot get it everywhere, so I enjoy it when I am in Spain. - JoyceM, May 27, 2012

Answer 2

In Mexico you would say "Quiero una coca por favor"

Answer 3

I travel for work all over the Americas and "Coke" (or in my case Coke Light o Coke Zero) is what is used most everywhere" when asked for the bebida you want.

You now just need to know how you want it: 'con hielo' o 'sin hielo' and then 'en vaso' o 'en lata'.

However, in the southern USA, they use "Coke" to mean a softdrink, so you have to specify what softdrink you want....

"Do you want a coke?"

Yes.

"What kind?"

I'll have a Sprite.

That is exacly how it was in Texas when I was a child and still is to a lesser degree. - Ranman, May 27, 2012

Answer 4

Hello Machri,

I'm going to answer.

In Spain if you order in a restaurant/bar a Coca-Cola the waiter will bring you this drink.

But take care with that:

• "Coca" means "cocaine". Never say "Can I have coca?".

• "Cola" means "tail" (of a dog, of a pork).

In brief, if you want to drink Coca-Cola, you must say "Quería una Coca-Cola"... not "Quería cola" and never "Quería coca" (drugs).

If you want a Cola drink (maybe Coca-Cola, maybe Pepsi), you have to say "Quería un refresco de cola" In this case you aren't specify what kind of drink you prefrer... but in Spain Coca-Cola is served in 90% of the restaurants.

thank you! - Machri, May 27, 2012

Answer 5

ok, these are both helpful answers from Spanish speaking countries, but does anyone have an example for Spain itself?

Answer 6

tomo yo coca cero.

I drink Coke Zero.