JLPT · Level 61
45 words
Japanese word
淡水
Pronunciation
Romajitansui
Meaning
- nounfresh water
Example
川や湖には淡水があります。kawa ya mizuumi ni wa tan sui ga a ri ma su
There is fresh water in rivers and lakes.
More examples
海水を淡水に変える技術が研究されています。kai sui o tan sui ni ka e ru gi jutsu ga ken kyū sa re te i ma su
Technology for turning seawater into fresh water is being studied.
Core concept
Refers to non-salty water found in places such as rivers, lakes, and underground sources.
Common phrases
淡水魚tan sui sakana
freshwater fish
淡水湖tan sui mizuumi
freshwater lake
淡水資源tan sui shi gen
freshwater resources
Similar words
真水shimizu: Non-salty water in everyday use, often contrasted with seawater.
Definition in Japanese
海水のように塩分を多く含まず、川や湖などにある水。kai sui no yō ni en bun o ō ku fuku ma zu kawa ya mizuumi na do ni a ru mizu
Word origin
The compound 淡水 (tansui) uses 淡 (tan, "bland or mild") for its low salt content and 水 (sui, "water").
Usage tips
- Freshwater ecosystems include rivers and lakes, so the word freshwater often appears in English terms about plants and animals living in those environments.
Opposites
- 海水kaisuiseawaternoun
Related words
- 淡水化tansuikadesalinationnoun
- 淡水性tansuiseifreshwaterna-adjective