carbonation / carbonic acid
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carbonation
The gas bubbles dissolved in water or other drinks that create a fizzy sensation in the mouth. Colloquially, it refers to the gas carbon dioxide (CO₂) in drinks.
Ich hätte gern ein Wasser mit wenig Kohlensäure.
I'd like a water with little carbonation.
The word is made up of 'Kohle' (coal/carbon) and 'Säure' (acid). It is the literal translation of the chemical term 'carbonic acid', with 'Kohle' standing for carbon.
Kohlendioxid in Wasser bildet die chemische Verbindung Kohlensäure.
Carbon dioxide in water forms the chemical compound carbonic acid.
In everyday life, especially in restaurants, fixed phrases are used. You order water 'mit Kohlensäure' (sparkling/with carbonation) or 'ohne Kohlensäure' (still/without carbonation).
Ein Wasser ohne Kohlensäure, bitte.
A still water, please.
You can recognize the chemical meaning from the context. When formulas, reactions, or scientific topics are involved, it means the chemical compound H₂CO₃, not the bubbles in a drink.
Kohlensäure ist eine sehr instabile Säure und zerfällt leicht wieder.
Carbonic acid is a very unstable acid and easily decomposes again.
acid / acidity
'die Säure' and 'die Kohlensäure' can both have to do with chemistry and with drinks. 'Säure' is the general term. It can mean a chemical substance or the sour taste of foods and drinks. 'Kohlensäure' is a specific acid, but in everyday language it usually means the bubbles in mineral water or lemonade. That is why you can say that a wine has a lot of 'Säure' (acidity), but with sparkling water you are more likely to talk about 'Kohlensäure' (carbonation). The confusion arises because carbonic acid is a type of acid, but in everyday language 'Kohlensäure' is used very specifically for fizzy drinks.
Ich trinke lieber Wasser ohne Kohlensäure.
I prefer to drink water without carbonation.
Der Apfel hat viel Säure und schmeckt deshalb sehr frisch.
The apple has a lot of acidity and therefore tastes very fresh.