Translation and Meaning of: 断水 - dansui

If you are learning Japanese or are curious about the language, you may have come across the word 断水 (だんすい). It appears in news reports, public notices, and even in everyday conversations in Japan. But what does it actually mean? In this article, we will explore the meaning, usage, and some cultural details of this word, which is directly related to practical situations in urban life.

断水 (だんすい) means "water outage" or "water suspension."

断水 is composed of two kanji: 断 (dan), which can mean "to cut" or "to interrupt," and 水 (sui), which means "water." Together, they form the term that describes the interruption of water supply. This situation can occur for various reasons, such as maintenance on the plumbing network, natural disasters, or problems in the local infrastructure.

In Japan, notices of 断水 are common during typhoon or earthquake seasons, when the pipes may be damaged. Water companies usually announce in advance when there is a forecast of scheduled cuts, allowing residents to prepare by storing water.

How and when 断水 is used in daily life?

The term is often found in official announcements, warning signs, and news. If you live in Japan, you are likely to see messages like "本日、断水があります" (Today there will be a water supply interruption) in leaflets or municipal websites. It is also common to hear the word in informal conversations, especially when someone comments on neighborhood issues.

In emergency situations, such as after an earthquake, the word becomes even more relevant. Many Japanese people have the habit of keeping bottles of water at home precisely because of the risk of 断水 (water outage). This preparedness reflects the country's culture of prevention, which prioritizes safety in the face of natural disasters.

Curiosities and tips for memorizing 断水

A simple way to remember the meaning of 断水 is to associate the kanjis with their practical function: 断 (cut) + 水 (water) = "water cut". This visual method helps students fix the term without confusing it with similar words, such as 渇水 (かっすい), which means "water shortage".

Another curiosity is that, although 断水 is a commonly used word, some regions in Japan may have local expressions for the same concept. In dialects like the one from Osaka, for example, you might hear informal variations, but the standard term remains widely understood throughout the country.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

• 断水 (Dansui) - Water cut
• 水不足 (Mizubusoku) - Water scarcity
• 水不足状態 (Mizubusoku joutai) - Water scarcity state
• 水道管破裂 (Suidoukan haretsu) - Water pipe rupture
• 水道管故障 (Suidoukan koshou) - Water pipe failure
• 水道管修理中 (Suidoukan shuurichuu) - Water pipe repair in progress
• 水道管工事中 (Suidoukan koujichuu) - Water pipe works in progress
• 水道管メンテナンス中 (Suidoukan mentenansu-chuu) - Water pipe maintenance in progress
• 水道管切断 (Suidoukan setsudan) - Water pipe cut
• 水道管閉鎖 (Suidoukan heisa) - Water pipe closure
• 水道管停止 (Suidoukan teishi) - Water pipe shutdown
• 水道管止水 (Suidoukan shisui) - Water supply interruption in the pipe
• 水道管断裂 (Suidoukan danritsu) - Water pipe rupture
• 水道管破損 (Suidoukan hason) - Damage to the water pipe
• 水道管漏水 (Suidoukan rousui) - Water leak from the pipe
• 水道管水漏れ (Suidoukan mizumore) - Water leak from the pipe (synonym of 漏水)
• 水道管水漏れ修理中 (Suidoukan mizumore shuurichuu) - Water leak repair on the pipe in progress
• 水道管水漏れ対応中 (Suidoukan mizumore taiou chuu) - Response to ongoing water leak in the pipe
• 水道管水漏れ発生中 (Suidoukan mizumore hassei chuu) - Water leak in the pipe occurring

断水

Romaji: dansui
Kana: だんすい
Type: noun
L: jlpt-n2

Translation / Meaning: water outage

Meaning in English: water outage

Definition: Stopping the water from a faucet.

Example Sentences - (断水) dansui

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