Translation guide
Water that comes from a natural underground spring, often considered pure and used for drinking or in expressions about nature.
Referring to water from a natural spring, often for drinking or describing its purity.
The most common and natural word for spring water. Used in everyday conversation and writing.
この湧き水は冷たくて美味しい。
This spring water is cold and delicious.
Literally 'clear water', often implies pure spring water. Slightly more poetic or literary.
山の清水で喉を潤した。
I quenched my thirst with clear spring water from the mountain.
Literally 'water of a spring/fountain'. Used when emphasizing the source as a spring.
この泉の水はとても澄んでいる。
The water from this spring is very clear.
Referring to commercially bottled water sourced from a spring.
Commonly used on bottled water labels to mean 'natural mineral water', often from a spring.
この天然水は富士山の湧き水から作られています。
This natural water is made from spring water from Mt. Fuji.
Using 'spring water' metaphorically to describe something pure, refreshing, or life-giving.
Literally 'water of life', used poetically for something essential and pure, like spring water.
その言葉は私にとって命の水のようだった。
Those words were like spring water to me.
The English word 'spring' can mean the season, but 'spring water' refers to a water source. Translating it as 春の水 (spring season water) would be incorrect and confusing.
Generic term for bottled mineral water, which may or may not be spring water. Often used interchangeably.
スーパーでミネラルウォーターを買った。
I bought some mineral water at the supermarket.