Chinese · Food & Drink
水
shuǐ
Water
Beginnernoun
Definition
The clear liquid that is essential for life.
Example
请给我一杯水。
Please give me a glass of water.
Etymology
水 (shuǐ) has been used in Chinese since ancient times, deriving from pictographs representing water, illustrating the essential nature of this element in life and culture.
How & Where It’s Used
水 is universally recognized in both spoken and written Mandarin, used across all registers and contexts ranging from casual conversations to formal writing.
Literary Heritage
It appears in many Chinese idioms and proverbs, such as "水落石出" (shuǐ luò shí chū).