墨水

• Pinyin: mò shuǐ
• Hanzi breakdown: 墨 = 黑 (black) + 土 (earth), black pigment from soot; 水 = water. Black liquid ink.

Meaning

Ink; writing fluid used in pens or for calligraphy.

Both literal ink and figuratively refers to education/learning. 肚子里有墨水 (have ink in one's belly) means being well-educated or knowledgeable. Types include: 钢笔墨水 (fountain pen ink), 打印机墨水 (printer ink). Traditional Chinese ink is 墨 alone.

Examples

1. 钢笔没墨水了，你那儿有多余的吗？ My fountain pen is out of ink — do you have any extra?
2. 这位教授肚子里的墨水可多了，什么问题都难不倒他。 This professor is extremely knowledgeable — no question can stump him.
3. 小时候练书法不小心把墨水洒了一身。 When I was young practicing calligraphy, I accidentally spilled ink all over myself.

Usage Guide

Context: writing, education, office

Tone: practical

Do Say

• 墨水用完了。(The ink has run out.)
• 他肚子里有墨水。(He's well-educated. — figurative)

Don't Say

• 把墨水和墨汁混淆 (墨水 is pen ink; 墨汁 is traditional Chinese brush ink)

Origin & History

Compound of 墨 (black pigment/ink stick) + 水 (water). Liquid form of ink.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal