水利

• Pinyin: shuǐ lì
• Hanzi breakdown: 水 = water; 利 = 禾 (grain) + 刀 (knife) — cutting channels through grain fields to irrigate them

Meaning

Water conservancy; hydraulic engineering. The management, control, and use of water resources through irrigation, flood control, and hydropower infrastructure.

A field of immense historical and political importance in China. Major projects include the Grand Canal, the Yellow River levees, and the Three Gorges Dam. 水利部 is the Ministry of Water Resources. 兴修水利 (developing water conservancy) was a major political slogan of the Mao era.

Examples

1. 古代中国非常重视水利工程，以防洪灌溉保障农业生产。 Ancient China placed great importance on waterworks projects to ensure flood control and irrigation for agricultural production.
2. 三峡工程是迄今为止世界上规模最大的水利枢纽工程之一。 The Three Gorges Project is, to date, one of the world’s largest water conservancy hub projects.
3. 政府加大对农村水利基础设施的投入，改善灌溉条件。 The government increased investment in rural water infrastructure to improve irrigation conditions.

Usage Guide

Context: engineering, agriculture, policy, history

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 加强水利基础设施建设是保障粮食安全的重要前提。(Strengthening water conservancy infrastructure is an important prerequisite for ensuring food security.)
• 历史上，兴修水利与王朝的兴衰有着密切的关联。(Historically, the development of water conservancy was closely linked to the rise and fall of dynasties.)

Don't Say

• 水利 ≠ 水力 (hydraulic power) — 水利 is the broader field of water resource management; 水力 specifically refers to the mechanical force of moving water

Origin & History

水 (water) + 利 (benefit, profit) — harnessing water for human benefit

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal