温泉

• Pinyin: wēn quán
• Hanzi breakdown: 温 = 氵+ 昷 (warm); 泉 = 白 + 水 (spring, water emerging from the ground)

Meaning

Hot spring. A naturally occurring spring of geothermally heated water, commonly used for bathing and therapeutic purposes.

Popular in China's tourism industry, especially in Yunnan, Sichuan, and Tibet. Associated with health and relaxation. 泡温泉 (soaking in a hot spring) is a popular leisure activity. Frequently featured in travel guides and health promotion.

Examples

1. 这座山区以天然温泉著称，每年吸引大量游客前来休闲度假。 This mountain area is famous for its natural hot springs and attracts large numbers of tourists every year for leisure and vacations.
2. 泡温泉可以促进血液循环，缓解肌肉酸痛。 Soaking in a hot spring can promote blood circulation and relieve muscle soreness.
3. 酒店在山间建有室外温泉池，供住客享用。 The hotel has built an outdoor hot-spring pool in the mountains for guests to enjoy.

Usage Guide

Context: tourism, health, daily life

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 每逢冬季，当地居民都喜欢去山里泡温泉，舒缓一周的疲惫。(Every winter, local residents like to go to the mountains to soak in hot springs and relieve a week's fatigue.)
• 这家温泉度假村依山而建，环境幽静，水质纯正。(This hot spring resort is built against the mountain, with a tranquil environment and pure water quality.)

Don't Say

• 温泉水很好喝 — hot springs are for bathing, not drinking; use 矿泉水 for drinking spring water; hot spring water often contains minerals unsuitable for consumption

Origin & History

温 (warm) + 泉 (spring, water from the ground)

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal