Translation and Meaning of: 水面 - suimen

The Japanese word 水面[すいめん] carries a poetic and visual meaning that goes beyond simple translation. In this article, we will explore its usage in everyday life, the composition of the kanjis that form it, and how it appears in cultural contexts. Whether you are studying Japanese or just curious about unique expressions, understanding 水面 is an interesting step to dive into the language. Here at Suki Nihongo, our detailed dictionary helps you discover nuances like these.

Meaning and composition of 水面

水面 is formed by two kanji: 水 (sui), which means "water," and 面 (men), which can be translated as "surface" or "face." Together, they literally describe the surface of water — whether it's a lake, river, or sea. The word evokes a tranquil image, often associated with reflections or the calm before a storm.

Unlike terms like 海 (umi, "sea") or 川 (kawa, "river"), 水面 refers not to a specific body of water, but to the visual and tactile aspect of still water. Therefore, it often appears in literary descriptions or dialogues that aim to create serene atmospheres. A classic example is its use in haikus to convey tranquility.

Everyday and cultural use

In daily life, the Japanese use 水面 in situations ranging from weather observations to metaphorical expressions. Phrases like "水面が揺れる" (the surface of the water trembles) can indicate both a physical phenomenon and a metaphor for hidden emotions about to emerge. This duality between the concrete and the symbolic is part of the charm of the word.

Culturally, 水面 is connected to concepts such as 鏡面 (kyōmen, "mirror surface"), present in Shinto ceremonies. In anime and literature, it is common to see it in scenes that highlight isolation or introspection — a character looking at still water, for example, often represents a moment of decision or revelation.

Tips for memorization and curiosities

An effective way to fixate 水面 is to associate its kanjis with mental images. Visualize 水 as stylized waves (the radical three drops) and 面 as a face looking down — together, they form the "face of water." This type of association is supported by methods such as Remembering the Kanji, by James Heisig.

Interestingly, 水面 has no alternative readings or significant dialectal variations, which makes it stable for learning. According to the Balanced Corpus of Contemporary Written Japanese, it appears with average frequency in formal and literary texts, but rarely in casual conversations — where terms like 水の上 (mizu no ue) are more common.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

• 水面 (Suimen) - Water surface
• 水面部 (Suimenbu) - Part of the water surface
• 水面下 (Suimenka) - Beneath the surface of the water
• 水上 (Suijou) - Above the water's surface
• 水上部 (Suijoubu) - Part above the water's surface
• 水面上 (Suimenjou) - Above the water's surface
• 水面下部 (Suimenkabu) - Bottom below the water surface
• 水面下方 (Suimen kahou) - Direction below the water's surface
• 水面下側 (Suimenkaside) - Under the surface of the water
• 水面下部分 (Suimenkabun) - Specific part below the water's surface
• 水面下部位 (Suimen kabui) - Specific location below the water surface
• 水面下寄り (Suimen kaya) - Near the bottom below the water's surface
• 水面下側面 (Suimen kasokumen) - Underwater lateral surface
• 水面下に (Suimenka ni) - Under the surface of the water
• 水面下に沈む (Suimenka ni shizumu) - Sink below the water's surface
• 水面下に浮かぶ (Suimenka ni ukabu) - Float below the surface of the water
• 水面下に潜る (Suimenka ni moguru) - Submerge below the surface of the water

水面

Romaji: suimen
Kana: すいめん
Type: noun
L: -

Translation / Meaning: Water surface

Meaning in English: water's surface

Definition: water surface.

Example Sentences - (水面) suimen

See below some example sentences:

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"