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水
shuǐ
What does "水" mean in English?
water我渴了，想喝水。
I'm thirsty; I want to drink water.
How to use "水" correctly: definitions and examples in English?
formal
A clear, colorless, odorless, and tasteless liquid essential for life and most living organisms.
人体大约60%的重量是水。
About 60% of the human body's weight is water.
我们需要每天喝足够的水。
We need to drink enough water every day.
In Chinese, 水 is also used in many compound words (e.g., 水果 fruit, 水平 level).
formal
A body of water such as a river, lake, or sea.
这条水很清澈，可以看到鱼。
This body of water is very clear; you can see the fish.
informal
A liquid that is not alcoholic or sugary (e.g., in beverages).
他只喝水，不喝饮料。
He only drinks water, not soda.
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Compound Words with 水
水 is a productive component in Chinese compounds. Memorize common ones like 水果 (fruit), 水平 (level), 水电 (water and electricity), and 水泥 (cement).
Gold Rule
水 in Compound Words
In most compounds, 水 retains its basic meaning of 'water' or 'liquid'. However, in some cases (e.g., 水平), the meaning shifts metaphorically to 'level' or 'standard'.
Word Origin
水 (shuǐ) originates from Old Chinese *s-turʔ, related to Proto-Sino-Tibetan *s-tyur (water, river). The character 水 depicts flowing water, resembling ripples or waves.
Usage Notes
水 is a fundamental character in Chinese and appears in numerous compounds. In modern slang, 水 can also mean 'boring' or 'uninteresting' (e.g., 这部电影太水了 'This movie is too boring').
Word Breakdown
氵
water radical (left side of the character)
root水
water
root汉英词典