Translation guide
The English word "water" covers a wide range of meanings, from the liquid itself to bodies of water, and even figurative uses. This guide focuses on the most common and useful Japanese expressions for English-speaking learners.
Referring to water as a substance, especially cold or room temperature.
The most common word for water. Use this for drinking water, tap water, water in nature, etc. Note that it typically implies cold or room temperature water.
Polite form of 水, often used when requesting water in a restaurant or offering it to someone.
Could I have another glass of water?
Specifically referring to heated water, as for tea, coffee, cooking, or bathing.
The standard word for hot water. Do not use 水 for hot water. The prefix お is almost always used; 湯 alone is less common in everyday speech.
Referring to a natural body of water, such as an ocean, lake, or river. English often uses 'water' generically, but Japanese usually specifies the type.
Instead of a generic word for 'body of water', Japanese uses specific terms like 海 (sea/ocean), 湖 (lake), 川 (river), 池 (pond). The word 水 is not used for large bodies of water.
Distinguishing water from other drinks like tea, juice, or alcohol.
Simply 水 is used when ordering or referring to water as a drink. In restaurants, you can say お水 (polite).
Referring to water as a utility, such as tap water, running water, or water service.
Expressions where 'water' is used metaphorically, such as 'water under the bridge', 'test the waters', etc.
Direct translation of English water idioms rarely works. Learn the Japanese equivalents.
to let bygones be bygones (lit. 'let it flow away in the water')
Referring to water contained in something, such as moisture or water content.
The verb 'to water', as in watering plants or giving water to animals.
In Japanese, 水 (mizu) specifically means cold or room temperature water. For hot water, always use お湯 (oyu). Saying 熱い水 (atsui mizu) sounds unnatural.
水 is cold water; 湯 is hot water. They are considered different things in Japanese. When you boil 水, it becomes 湯. This distinction is important in daily life, from ordering drinks to bathing.
In Japan, you are usually served free water (お冷 or お水) without asking. If you need more, you can say お冷をください or お水をもらえますか？ Tap water is safe to drink, so you can also ask for 水道水, but お冷 is more common.
お湯を沸かしてください。
Please boil some water.
Fill the bathtub with hot water.
Boiling water. Used in contexts like cooking or warnings.
Caution: boiling water
I like swimming in the water (sea).
The water of the lake is clean.
A technical term for 'body of water' or 'waters' (e.g., territorial waters). Not used in everyday conversation.
Japan's territorial waters include a wide area of water.
飲み物は何にしますか？水でいいです。
What would you like to drink? Water is fine.
A common term in restaurants for a glass of cold water. Often used when asking for a refill.
Excuse me, could I have some (cold) water?
Tap water. Literally 'water supply water'.
You can drink the tap water in Japan.
Clean water, potable water (as opposed to sewage). Often used in technical contexts.
maintenance of the water supply system
焼け石に水
a drop in the bucket (lit. 'water on a hot stone')
Moisture, water content. Used for food, soil, air, etc.
This vegetable has a lot of water content.
Water content (technical term).
Measure the water content of the soil.
Noun form: watering (plants).
It's best to water (plants) in the morning.
The water is boiling.
Use お湯, not 水.