自来水

• 拼音: zì lái shuǐ
• 汉字拆解: 自 = nose pictograph, meaning self; 来 = wheat plant, extended to mean come; 水 = water pictograph

含义

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.

例句

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。
2. 北京的自来水硬度较高，很多家庭会安装净水器再饮用。
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。

用法指南

语境: daily life, infrastructure, utilities

语气: neutral

正确说法

• 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.)

错误说法

• 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)

起源与历史

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

文化背景

世代: All ages

社会背景: Universal