凉水

• Pinyin: liáng shuǐ
• Hanzi breakdown: 凉 = 冫(ice) + 京 (capital, phonetic), meaning cool; 水 = pictograph of flowing water

Meaning

Cold water; cool water. Unheated water, as opposed to hot or warm water.

Refers to water that is not heated — either room temperature or cool. In Chinese culture, where drinking hot water (热水) is the norm, 凉水 or 冷水 stands in contrast. Some people use 凉水 and 冷水 interchangeably, though 凉水 can imply slightly cool rather than ice-cold. Also used figuratively in 泼凉水 (pour cold water on = to discourage).

Examples

1. 大夏天喝一杯凉水真舒服。 Drinking a glass of cold water in the summer heat is so refreshing.
2. 医生说生病的时候不要喝凉水。 The doctor said not to drink cold water when you're sick.
3. 他洗完脸以后用凉水冲了一下。 After washing his face, he rinsed with cool water.

Usage Guide

Context: daily life, food and drink, health

Tone: casual

Do Say

• 请给我一杯凉水。(Please give me a glass of cold water.)
• 运动以后不要马上喝凉水。(Don't drink cold water right after exercise.)

Don't Say

• 我要一杯凉水加冰。(凉水 already implies unheated water — adding ice makes it 冰水. If you want iced water, just say 我要冰水.)

Origin & History

凉 means cool or cold (often pleasantly cool); 水 means water. A straightforward compound: cool water.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal