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:

冷たい水が好きです。

Tsumetai mizu ga suki desu

I like cold water.

• 冷たい - adjective meaning "cold"
• 水 - noun meaning "water"
• が - particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• 好き - The adjective that means "to like" is "gostoso" or "agradável."
• です - auxiliary verb indicating the formality of the sentence

噴出した水蒸気が空に舞い上がった。

Funsu shita suijōki ga sora ni maiagatta

The spat out water vapor flew into the sky.

• 噴出した (funsu shita) - verb meaning "to gush" or "to sneeze"
• 水蒸気 (suijouki) - noun meaning "water vapor"
• が (ga) - particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• 空 (sora) - noun meaning "heaven"
• に (ni) - particle indicating the target or location of the action
• 舞い上がった (maiagatta) - verb meaning "to dance up" or "to float", conjugated in the past tense

大水が起こった。

Daisui ga okotta

There was a great flood.

Great water occurred.

• 大水 - "daisui" means "flood."
• が - Grammatical particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• 起こった - "okotta" is the verb "ocorrer" in the past

水洗いが必要です。

Suisei ga hitsuyou desu

It is necessary to wash with water.

Washing is necessary.

• 水洗い - means "water washing".
• が - Subject particle.
• 必要 - means "necessary."
• です - Verb "to be" in the present tense.

水曜日は私の一番好きな曜日です。

Suiyoubi wa watashi no ichiban suki na youbi desu

Wednesday is my favorite day of the week.

• 水曜日 - Wednesday
• は - Topic particle
• 私の - my
• 一番 - the best/number one
• 好きな - favorite
• 曜日 - Dia da semana
• です - Verb to be/estar

水平を保つことが大切です。

Suhei wo tamotsu koto ga taisetsu desu

It is important to maintain horizontality.

It is important to keep it horizontal.

• 水平 - horizontal
• を - particle indicating the object of an action
• 保つ - to maintain
• こと - nominalizer indicating a thing or concept
• が - partícula que indica o sujeito de uma frase
• 大切 - importante
• です - copula que indica polidez

水面に映る夕日は美しいです。

Suimen ni utsuru yuuhi wa utsukushii desu

The sunset reflected on the surface of the water is beautiful.

The sunset on the surface of the water is beautiful.

• 水面に - "on the surface of the water"
• 映る - "reflected"
• 夕日 - "sunset"
• 美しい - "bonito"
• です - "is"

洪水が起こった。

Kouzui ga okotta

A flood occurred.

• 洪水 - Inundation
• が - subject particle
• 起こった - occurred

私は毎日香水をつけます。

Watashi wa mainichi kōsui o tsukemasu

I use perfume every day.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - particle that marks the topic of the sentence, indicating that the subject is "I"
• 毎日 (mainichi) - adverb meaning "every day"
• 香水 (kōsui) - noun meaning "perfume"
• を (wo) - particle that marks the direct object of the sentence, indicating that the object is "perfume"
• つけます (tsukemasu) - verb meaning "put" or "apply", conjugated in the present affirmative