雨水

• Pinyin: yǔ shuǐ
• Hanzi breakdown: 雨 = pictograph of rain falling from clouds; 水 = pictograph of flowing water

Meaning

Rainwater; rainfall. Water that falls from clouds as precipitation.

Can refer to rain itself or collected rainwater. Also the name of the second solar term (around February 19), marking the start of spring rains. Common collocations: 雨水充沛 (abundant rainfall), 收集雨水 (collect rainwater), 雨水节气 (Rainwater solar term).

Examples

1. 这个地区雨水充沛，适合种植水稻。 This region has abundant rainfall, suitable for growing rice.
2. 屋顶可以安装设备来收集雨水。 Equipment can be installed on the roof to collect rainwater.
3. 雨水节气过后，天气开始变暖。 After the Rainwater solar term, the weather starts to warm up.

Usage Guide

Context: weather, agriculture, calendar

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 今年的雨水比往年少。(This year's rainfall is less than previous years.)
• 雨水收集系统可以节约用水。(Rainwater collection systems can save water.)

Don't Say

• 下雨水了 (Redundant — just say 下雨了 for 'it's raining')

Origin & History

Simple compound of 雨 (rain) and 水 (water). Also one of the 24 traditional Chinese solar terms.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal