水
Meanings
The most common word for water, especially cool or cold water. Contrasts with 湯 (hot water).
See also: 湯 (ゆ)
Please give me a glass of cold water.
Refers to bodily fluids or liquid in a biological context, such as amniotic fluid or tissue fluid.
The body is lacking fluid.
flood; floodwaters
Used in contexts of flooding or rising water, often in compounds like 大水 (big flood) or 水害 (flood damage).
The river flooded due to heavy rain.
water offered to sumo wrestlers before a bout
Sumo term: water given to wrestlers just before a match, often from a previous winner for good luck.
See also: 力水
The wrestler receives the ritual water before stepping into the ring.
break in a prolonged sumo bout
Sumo term: a short rest period granted when a match has gone on too long, allowing wrestlers to catch their breath.
See also: 水入り
After a long bout, a break was called.
Usage patterns
- 〈物〉に水をかけるto pour/splash water on something
I splashed water on the flowers.
- 水が引くfor floodwaters to recede
After the typhoon, the floodwaters finally receded.
- 水を飲むto drink water
I drank a lot of water after exercising.
- 〈物〉に水をやるto water (a plant)
I water the garden flowers every morning.
- 〈物〉を水に浸すto soak something in water
Soak the rice in water before cooking it.
- 水が出るfor water to come out (e.g. from a tap)
Water comes out of this faucet with strong force.
Expressions· 55
- 水の泡bubble on the surface of water · coming to nothing; something short-lived
- 水を差すpour water into; dilute with water · throw cold water on; put a damper on; hinder
- 京の水water from the capital (Kyoto); whitening water · Edo-period washing lotion
- 命の水water of life; life-giving water · distilled liquor; spirits
- 春の水spring waters; overflowing lakes and streams in spring