Meaning
水 is a pictographic kanji — its four strokes trace the shape of flowing water. The central vertical line represents the main current, while the shorter strokes on each side suggest ripples or splashing droplets. This visual connection to its meaning has survived thousands of years with little change.
At its core, 水 means water — the liquid we drink, rivers we cross, rain that falls. It also appears in words about moisture, liquids in general, and water-related activities. Taught in Grade 1, it's one of the first kanji Japanese children learn.
Readings
On'yomi (音読み) — Chinese-derived readings
The On'yomi reading is スイ (SUI). It appears in compound words (熟語, 熟語), especially in formal or technical contexts.
水曜日 (suiyoubi) — Wednesday. The days of the week in Japanese are linked to classical elements; 水 (water) corresponds to Mercury.
水素 (suiso) — hydrogen. Literally "water element," named because hydrogen is a key component of water.
水泳 (suiei) — swimming. 水 (water) + 泳 (to swim).
Kun'yomi (訓読み) — Native Japanese readings
The Kun'yomi readings are みず (mizu) and **みず
(mizu-)**. These appear when 水 stands alone or combines with native Japanese words, often with accompanying hiragana (送り仮名, 送り仮名).
水 (mizu) — water. The everyday word for drinking water or water in general.
水着 (mizugi) — swimsuit. 水 (water) + 着 (clothing).
水辺 (mizube) — waterside, riverbank. 水 (water) + 辺 (vicinity).
Common Words & Compounds
水 turns up across a wide range of everyday words. Here are key examples grouped by theme.
Household & Daily Life:
水道 (suidou) — tap water system, waterworks. 水 + 道 (path): the path water takes to reach your home.
水筒 (suitou) — water bottle, flask. 水 + 筒 (cylinder).
水槽 (suisou) — fish tank, water tank. 水 + 槽 (vat).
雨水 (usui) — rainwater. 雨 (rain) + 水 (water).
洪水 (kouzui) — flood. 洪 (torrential) + 水 (water).
海水 (kaisui) — seawater. 海 (sea) + 水 (water).
地下水 (chikasui) — groundwater. 地 (earth) + 下 (below) + 水 (water).
水分 (suibun) — moisture, water content. Common in nutrition labels and weather forecasts.
水蒸気 (suijouki) — water vapor, steam. 水 + 蒸 (evaporate) + 気 (gas/air).
水道水 (suidousui) — tap water. Specifies water delivered through the public supply system, as opposed to bottled or well water.
水圧 (suiatsu) — water pressure. 水 + 圧 (pressure).
Example Sentences
毎日、たくさん水を飲みます。
Mainichi, takusan mizu o nomimasu.
I drink a lot of water every day.
水は透明で無臭です。
Mizu wa toumei de mushuu desu.
Water is transparent and odorless.
水道からきれいな水が出ます。
Suidou kara kirei na mizu ga demasu.
Clean water comes out of the tap.
水泳は全身運動にとてもいいです。
Suiei wa zenshin undou ni totemo ii desu.
Swimming is great for a full-body workout.
夏は水をたくさん飲んで熱中症に気をつけましょう。
Natsu wa mizu o takusan nonde necchuushou ni ki o tsukemashou.
In summer, drink plenty of water and watch out for heatstroke.
植物には毎日水をあげる必要があります。
Shokubutsu ni wa mainichi mizu o ageru hitsuyou ga arimasu.
Plants need to be watered every day.
この地域は水が豊かで、農業がさかんです。
Kono chiiki wa mizu ga yutaka de, nougyou ga sakan desu.
This region has abundant water, so farming thrives here.
水の中に生きる生物を水生生物と呼びます。
Mizu no naka ni ikiru seibutsu o suisei seibutsu to yobimasu.
Creatures that live in water are called aquatic organisms.
Related Kanji
- 空 — Sky, Empty, Air (Kanji N5)
- 雨 — Rain (Kanji N5)
- 花 — Flower, Blossom (Kanji N5)
- 木 — Tree, Wood (Kanji N5)
- 川 — River (Kanji N5)
- 気 — Spirit, Energy, Air (Kanji N5)
Memory Tip
Picture a stream from above: a central current flowing downward, with small droplets scattering on either side. That's exactly what 水 draws. The four strokes — one central, three branching — mimic the movement of flowing water. Once you see it that way, you won't forget it.