水滴
Meanings
1
drop of water; water droplet
General term for a small, roundish amount of water, such as a raindrop, a drip from a faucet, or condensation.
There are water droplets on the window glass.
Water drops are sparkling on the leaf.
2
water dropper for calligraphy
A small vessel used in traditional calligraphy to hold water for adding to an inkstone. This is a specialized tool, not a general water container.
When doing calligraphy, you add water to the inkstone with a water dropper.
Usage patterns
- 〈物〉に水滴がつくfor water droplets to form on something (condensation)
There are water droplets on the window glass.
- 水滴で〈場所〉に水を差すto add water using a calligraphy water dropper
I added water to the inkstone with the water dropper before grinding the ink.
- 水滴が落ちるfor a drop of water to fall
Drops of water were dripping down from the ceiling.
- 水滴を垂らすto let a drop of water drip (onto something)
I dripped one drop of water using a dropper.