Translation guide
In Japanese, expressing 'water supply' depends on whether you mean the system/infrastructure, the act of supplying water, or the water itself. The most common term is 水道 (suidō), which refers to the public water system. For technical or formal contexts, 給水 (kyūsui) is used for the supply of water. In daily life, people often talk about the water being on/off or the tap water.
Referring to the infrastructure that delivers water to homes and buildings, or the water from that system.
The standard word for the public water supply system, waterworks, or tap water. Used in everyday conversation.
水道の水は飲めますか。
Is the tap water drinkable?
水道料金を払う。
Pay the water bill.
Specifically refers to the clean water supply system (as opposed to sewage). More technical than 水道.
上水道の整備が遅れている。
The development of the water supply system is behind schedule.
Focusing on the provision or delivery of water, often in technical, emergency, or utility contexts.
The act of supplying water. Used for water supply systems, water trucks, or water stations. Common in disaster contexts.
断水で給水車が来た。
Because of the water outage, a water truck came.
給水所で水をもらう。
Get water at a water distribution point.
Refers to the conveyance or transmission of water, often through pipes or channels. Technical term.
Referring to the availability or source of water, such as a reservoir, river, or well.
Water source, such as a river, lake, or reservoir that supplies water.
この町の水源は地下水です。
This town's water supply comes from groundwater.
Water resources, often used in environmental or policy contexts.
When the water supply is cut off or unavailable.
Water outage or cutoff. Commonly used in announcements and daily life.
明日は工事のため断水します。
Tomorrow the water will be shut off due to construction.
水道 refers to the overall water system (pipes, billing, tap water). 給水 refers to the act of supplying water, often in specific situations like emergencies or technical descriptions. If you say 'the water supply is contaminated,' use 水道 (水道の水が汚染されている). If you say 'water supply will resume at 3 PM,' use 給水 (給水は午後3時に再開されます).
送水管が破裂した。
The water main burst.
水資源の管理が重要だ。
Management of water resources is important.