Leitungswasser
/ˈlaɪ̯tʊŋsˌvasɐ/neuter
The English phrase "tap water" is Leitungswasser in German. Wiktionary also lists Hahnenwasser.
Meaning: water from a tap (noun)
Ways to say it
| German | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Leitungswasser | /ˈlaɪ̯tʊŋsˌvasɐ/ | neuter |
| Hahnenwasser | Switzerland, neuter |
Leitungswasser refers to the water coming from the pipes. It is used to distinguish from Mineralwasser, which is bottled mineral water.
What does it mean word for word?
Leitungswasser is a compound word consisting of Leitung (pipe/line) and Wasser (water).
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Switzerland, the term Hahnenwasser is commonly used instead of Leitungswasser.
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun is neuter, meaning it takes the article das in the nominative and accusative cases.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈlaɪ̯tʊŋsˌvasɐ/
Did you know?
- Because Leitung can mean 'management', a Leitung can refer to the person in charge of a company or a department as well as a water pipe.
- If you use the word Hahn to refer to a water tap, you are also using the German word for a 'rooster'.
- In many German restaurants, asking for Leitungswasser may result in a confused look or a refusal, as it is customary to serve only bottled mineral water.
Examples in context
- Ist das Leitungswasser trinkbar?Is tap water safe to drink?This sentence is useful for asking if the Leitungswasser is safe to drink.Tatoeba #11778690 by mashi, translation #9495617 by DJ_Saidez
- Trinken die Leute in Boston Leitungswasser?Do people in Boston drink tap water?This sentence is useful for asking if people in Boston drink Leitungswasser.Tatoeba #3040986 by Manfredo, translation #3024453 by CK
- Ist das Leitungswasser in Australien trinkbar?Is the tap water in Australia drinkable?This sentence is useful for asking if the Leitungswasser in Australia is drinkable.Tatoeba #3023080 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #3040117 by AnneWy
- Hey, kannst du mir bitte ein Glas Leitungswasser holen?Hey, could you please get me a glass of tap water?
- 17 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lukas and Laura are at a cafe in Berlin.
- LukasMöchtest du eine Flasche Wasser oder Leitungswasser?Would you like a bottle of water or tap water?
- LauraIch nehme lieber Leitungswasser, danke.I'll take tap water instead, thanks.
- LukasKein Problem, ich bestelle das sofort.No problem, I'll order it right away.
- LauraDas ist hier sehr praktisch.That is very practical here.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “tap water” translations and entries Leitungswasser, Hahnenwasser, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
