[Day 4] 水 - water (element, everyday)
Days 1-10
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[Day 4] 水 - water (element, everyday)
水 is an ancient pictogram originally representing flowing water or drops. Its core meaning is "water," and by extension it appears in everyday words about liquids, hydration, and things related to water (rivers, taps, swimming, days named after elements). Readings: the character commonly appears with its Chinese-derived On'yomi in compounds, and its native Kun'yomi when used alone or in simple phrases. A simple mnemonic to start: imagine three streams joining into one shape — the kanji looks like flowing lines meeting in the middle. Readings: On'yomi: スイ (sui) Kun'yomi: みず (mizu)
Readings
On'yomi: **スイ** (sui) Kun'yomi: **みず** (mizu)
Related words
- 水 (みず mizu) — water • コップに**水**をください。 (Koppu ni **mizu** o kudasai. — Please give me a glass of water.)
- 水道 (すいどう suidou) — tap; water supply • キッチンの**水道**から水が出ます。 (Kicchin no **suidou** kara mizu ga demasu. — Water comes out of the kitchen tap.)
- 水曜日 (すいようび suiyoubi) — Wednesday • ミーティングは**水曜日**です。 (Miitingu wa **suiyoubi** desu. — The meeting is on Wednesday.)
- 水泳 (すいえい suiei) — swimming • 夏に**水泳**を習います。 (Natsu ni **suiei** o naraimasu. — I take swimming lessons in summer.)
- 水分 (すいぶん suibun) — moisture; fluids (hydration) • 体のために**水分**を取ってください。 (Karada no tame ni **suibun** o totte kudasai. — Please take fluids / stay hydrated for your body.)