Translation guide
In Japanese, expressing 'drinking water' depends on context: the water itself, the act of drinking, or water designated for drinking. The most common term is 飲み水 (nomimizu), but other words and phrases are used in specific situations.
To refer to water that is meant to be drunk, as opposed to water for other uses.
The standard word for 'drinking water'. It literally means 'drink-water'.
This drinking water is cold and delicious.
A more formal term for 'drinking water', often used in official contexts, on labels, or in disaster preparedness.
We are stockpiling drinking water in case of a disaster.
In many contexts, simply 'water' is understood as drinking water, especially when the situation makes it clear.
Please give me some water. (Implied: drinking water)
To describe the action of consuming water.
To indicate that water is safe for drinking.
To ask for water to drink in a restaurant or similar setting.
In Japan, tap water is safe to drink, and restaurants typically serve free water (often with ice). Asking for 'お水' or 'お冷' is standard.
While grammatically possible, 飲む水 sounds like 'water that I drink' rather than the general concept of drinking water. Use 飲み水 instead.
To prevent heatstroke, let's drink water frequently.
This well water is suitable for drinking.