Translation guide
Water that comes from a natural underground spring, often considered pure and used for drinking or in expressions about nature.
The most common and natural word for spring water. Used in everyday conversation and writing.
This spring water is cold and delicious.
Literally 'clear water', often implies pure spring water. Slightly more poetic or literary.
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.
The water from this spring is very clear.
Referring to commercially bottled water sourced from a spring.
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.
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.
I bought some mineral water at the supermarket.