要什么酒？

[Mike]

How do I say: -

"I want a cold beer"

"I want a cold beer with ice" - I mean a cold beer with ice cubes floating in it.

"This beer is not cold"

Thanks guys!

[semantic nuance]

I want a cold beer----我要一個/杯/罐/冰啤酒.

I want a cold beer with ice. 我要一個/杯/罐啤酒加冰塊

This beer is not cold.----這啤酒不冰.

Hope it helps!

[Mike]

Thanks semantic nuance - as usual faster than a speeding bullet :-)

btw - regarding water issues, is it advisable to avoid ice in Beijing / China?

[imron]

In mainland China 凉的 is often used to describe cold drinks. So after ordering a drink of some kind, it's not uncommon to hear the waitress ask something like: 你要凉的还是常温的？ Would you like it cold, or at room-temperature?

[cdn_in_bj]

btw - regarding water issues, is it advisable to avoid ice in Beijing / China?

I've never had a problem with ice in Beijing.

Also, I do not recommend putting ice in your beer but not for the reason you mention. The beer here is already light to begin with, why water it down even more?

[Tommi]

Also in Chengdu/Sichuan it's common to use 冻的 for cold drinks.

[Mike]

Also, I do not recommend putting ice in your beer but not for the reason you mention. The beer here is already light to begin with, why water it down even more?

Good point cdn_in_bj - I added the ice bit without thinking. Anyway better get bcak ot thur mao taiiiii hic!

[shanghaikai]

Not having properly cold beer is a common aggravation in China.

Not having ice in cold drinks is even more maddening for Westerners (at least many Americans).