自来水

• Pinyin: zì lái shuǐ
• Hanzi breakdown: 自 = nose pictograph, meaning self; 来 = wheat plant, extended to mean come; 水 = water pictograph

Meaning

Tap water; running water; piped water supply.

Refers to the municipal water supply that comes through pipes to buildings. The term literally means 'water that comes by itself' — i.e., without needing to fetch it from a well or river. A basic modern infrastructure term.

Examples

1. 这个偏远山村直到去年才通了自来水，村民们终于不用再去河边挑水了。 This remote mountain village only got running water last year — villagers finally don't have to fetch water from the river anymore.
2. 北京的自来水硬度较高，很多家庭会安装净水器再饮用。 Beijing's tap water has high mineral content, so many households install water filters before drinking it.
3. 自来水公司通知明天上午要停水检修，请大家提前储水备用。 The water company notified that water will be shut off tomorrow morning for maintenance — please store water in advance.

Usage Guide

Context: daily life, infrastructure, utilities

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 这里的自来水能直接喝吗？(Can you drink the tap water here directly?)
• 自来水费这个月涨了。(The water bill increased this month.)

Don't Say

• 请给我一杯自来水。(In restaurants, this sounds odd — just ask for 水 or specify 矿泉水/凉白开)

Origin & History

Compound meaning 'water that comes by itself' — 自 (self), 来 (to come), 水 (water). Describes the convenience of piped water that flows on demand.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal