湯

• Reading: ゆ
• Romaji: yu
• Kanji breakdown: 湯 (tō/yu) — hot water, bath
• Pronunciation: /jɯ/

Meaning

Hot water; heated water. Also refers to bath water or hot spring water.

Specifically means heated or hot water, as opposed to 水 (mizu, cold water). Commonly used with the polite prefix お as お湯. Appears in many compounds: 湯船 (yubune, bathtub), 湯気 (yuge, steam), 湯のみ (yunomi, tea cup). Central to Japanese bathing culture and tea ceremonies.

Examples

1. お湯をわかしてお茶を入れます。 I'll boil some hot water and make tea.
2. お風呂のお湯がちょうどいい温度です。 The bathwater is just the right temperature.
3. カップラーメンにお湯を入れてください。 Please pour hot water into the cup noodles.

Usage Guide

Context: cooking, bathing, daily life

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

From Old Japanese. The kanji 湯 combines the water radical 氵 with 昜 (yō, rising), suggesting water that has risen in temperature. Deeply tied to Japan's hot spring (温泉) culture.

Cultural Context

Era: Ancient

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal