纯净水

• Pinyin: chún jìng shuǐ
• Hanzi breakdown: 纯 = 纟(silk) + 屯 (phonetic), meaning pure; 净 = 冫(ice) + 争 (phonetic), meaning clean; 水 = pictograph of flowing water

Meaning

Purified water; distilled water. Commercially bottled water that has been purified.

Refers to water that has been treated to remove impurities, widely sold in bottles and dispensers across China. Distinct from 矿泉水 (mineral water) which retains natural minerals. Very common in everyday life — you'll see 纯净水 on water coolers in offices, schools, and homes throughout China.

Examples

1. 办公室的纯净水喝完了，需要再买一桶。 The purified water in the office is finished — we need to buy another barrel.
2. 医生建议多喝纯净水，少喝含糖饮料。 The doctor recommends drinking more purified water and fewer sugary drinks.
3. 超市里纯净水和矿泉水哪个卖得好？ In the supermarket, which sells better — purified water or mineral water?

Usage Guide

Context: everyday, shopping, health

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 你喝纯净水还是矿泉水？(Do you drink purified water or mineral water?)
• 帮我订两桶纯净水送到家里。(Order two barrels of purified water delivered to my home.)

Don't Say

• 把所有瓶装水都叫纯净水 (Don't call all bottled water 纯净水 — 矿泉水 is mineral water and is a different product)

Origin & History

纯 (pure) + 净 (clean, clear) + 水 (water). A descriptive compound meaning water that is both pure and clean, distinguishing it from tap water or mineral water.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal