Translation and Meaning of: 水 - mizu

The Japanese word 「水」, read as "mizu" in romaji, means "water". This word is fundamental in the Japanese language and also holds essential meaning in various cultures around the world due to the vital importance of water. In terms of writing, 「水」 is a kanji composed of three strokes. The etymology of the character dates back to ancient pictograms that represented streams of water or flows, reflecting the fluid and vital nature of the element.

In ancient Japanese, the word for water was used in various situations and contexts, from everyday aspects to religious and cultural ceremonies. For example, in the tea ceremony, the quality of the water is crucial for the taste of the tea. Additionally, water is a central element in many local festivals, where its symbolic purification is used to bless and protect communities.

In addition to everyday use, the word 「水」 appears in many compounds and Japanese expressions, illustrating the diversity of its use. Some examples include 「水族館」 (suizokukan), which means aquarium, and 「水道」 (suidou), which refers to the supply of water or plumbing system. This multifaceted use of the term demonstrates its linguistic and cultural importance in Japan.

Variations and Cultural Meaning

In Japan, water is often associated with purity, rebirth, and purification. This symbolism is evident in practices such as "misogi," a purification ritual that involves immersion in water. It is also common in Japanese philosophy to associate water with qualities such as adaptability and resilience, due to its ability to change form and overcome obstacles. This spiritual and philosophical understanding of water can be seen in works of Japanese literature and art, where the ephemeral and transformative nature of water is celebrated.

Vocabulary

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Synonyms and similar words

• みず (Mizu) - Water
• 水分 (Suibun) - conteúdo de água
• 水源 (Suigen) - Water source
• 水路 (Suiro) - Water canal
• 水面 (Suimen) - Water surface
• 水溜り (Mizutamari) - Water pool (water accumulation)
• 水滴 (Suiteki) - Water Drop
• 水蒸気 (Suijōki) - Water vapor
• 水道 (Suidō) - Water supply system
• 水泳 (Suiei) - Swimming (in water)
• 水曜日 (Suiyoubi) - Wednesday (literally "water day")
• 水辺 (Mizube) - Water's edge
• 水田 (Suiden) - Rice field (irrigated with water)
• 水鳥 (Mizudori) - Waterbird
• 水晶 (Suishō) - Water crystal (or crystal, referring to its transparency)

水

Romaji: mizu
Kana: みず
Type: noun
L: jlpt-n5

Translation / Meaning: water

Meaning in English: water

Definition: A liquid that has no taste or odor, is colorless, and consists mainly of oxygen and hydrogen.

Example Sentences - (水) mizu

See below some example sentences:

断水は大変だ。

Dansui wa taihen da

The lack of water is terrible.

Watering is difficult.

• 断水 - It means "lack of water"
• は - Topic particle
• 大変 - means "difficult" or "serious"
• だ - Verb "to be" in the present tense

排水は重要な環境問題です。

Haisui wa juuyou na kankyou mondai desu

Drainage is an important environmental issue.

Drainage is an important environmental problem.

• 排水 - Means "sewer" in Japanese.
• は - is a grammatical particle that indicates the topic of the sentence.
• 重要な - means "important" in Japanese, and is an adjective that modifies the noun "環境問題".
• 環境問題 - means "environmental problem" in Japanese, and is the subject of the sentence.
• です - is a polite way of saying "is" in Japanese, and indicates that the sentence is a statement.

地下水は大切な資源です。

Chikasui wa taisetsu na shigen desu

Groundwater is an important resource.

Groundwater is an important resource.

• 地下水 - Groundwater
• は - grammatical particle that indicates the topic of the sentence
• 大切な - important
• 資源 - resource
• です - Verb "to be" in the present tense

この水の状態は良好です。

Kono mizu no jōtai wa ryōkō desu

The condition of this water is good.

• この - demonstrative pronoun "this"
• 水 - Noun "water"
• の - possessive particle "of"
• 状態 - noun "state"
• は - topic particle "は"
• 良好 - Good
• です - Verb "to be" in polite form

このスープは水で薄める必要があります。

Kono suupu wa mizu de usumeru hitsuyou ga arimasu

This soup needs to be diluted with water.

This soup must be diluted with water.

• この - demonstrative pronoun that means "this" or "this here"
• スープ - noun meaning "soup"
• は - Particle indicating the topic of the sentence
• 水 - noun meaning "water"
• で - particle that indicates the means or instrument used
• 薄める - verb meaning "to dilute"
• 必要 - noun meaning "need"
• が - particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• あります - verb meaning "to exist" or "to have"

この公園には美しい噴水があります。

Kono kōen ni wa utsukushii funsui ga arimasu

In this park there is a beautiful fountain.

There is a beautiful fountain in this park.

• この - demonstrative pronoun that means "this" or "this here"
• 公園 - noun that means "park"
• に - particle indicating the location of something, in this case "at"
• は - particle indicating the topic of the sentence, in this case, "this park"
• 美しい - adjective meaning "beautiful" or "beautiful"
• 噴水 - noun meaning "spring" or "fountain"
• が - particle indicating the subject of the sentence, in this case, "the source"
• あります - verb meaning "to exist" or "to be present"

この料理には水気が多すぎる。

Kono ryōri ni wa mizuke ga ōsugiru

This dish has a lot of water.

• この - demonstrative pronoun that means "this" or "this here"
• 料理 - noun that means "cuisine" or "dish"
• に - particle that indicates the action or state of something
• は - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence
• 水気 - Noun that means "humidity" or "water"
• が - particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• 多すぎる - Adjective that means "too much" or "excessive"

この建物の水準は非常に高いです。

Kono tatemono no suijun wa hijō ni takai desu

The level of this building is very high.

• この - demonstrative pronoun meaning "this" or "this one"
• 建物 - noun meaning "building" or "construction"
• の - particle that indicates possession or belonging
• 水準 - noun meaning "level" or "standard"
• は - topic particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• 非常に - adverb meaning "very" or "extremely"
• 高い - adjective that means "high" or "elevated"
• です - verb ser/ estar in the present tense, indicating affirmation or politeness

パイプを使って水を流しましょう。

Paipu wo tsukatte mizu wo nagashimashou

Let's use a pipe to drain the water.

Let's use a pipe to wash the water.

• パイプ - tube
• を - direct object particle
• 使って - using
• 水 - water
• を - direct object particle
• 流しましょう - let's drain / let the water run

下水は環境に悪い影響を与える可能性があります。

Kasui wa kankyō ni warui eikyō o ataeru kanōsei ga arimasu

Sewage can have a bad effect on the environment.

• 下水 (gesui) - wastewater
• 環境 (kankyo) - environment
• 悪い (warui) - bad
• 影響 (eikyo) - influence, effect
• 与える (ataeru) - cause, give
• 可能性 (kanousei) - possibility
• あります (arimasu) - there is, there is