水
seoi²
The English word water is translated into Cantonese as 水 (seoi²).
水 refers to the inorganic compound H₂O. You may also encounter more specific terms such as 清水 for clear water or 自來水 for tap water or running water. Additionally, the phrase 淋水 is a verb meaning to pour water into the soil surrounding plants.
Meaning: inorganic compound H₂O (noun)
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
seoi²
Did you know?
- Cantonese speakers use the term 水貨 to describe 'grey market' goods that are imported unofficially rather than through authorized distributors.
- In traditional Cantonese fortune telling and Feng Shui, 水 is one of the five elements and is considered the primary symbol for wealth and prosperity because water flows and accumulates.
- The phrase 水漲船高 literally means 'as the water rises, the boat rises', but it is used as an idiom to describe how prices or salaries increase when the overall market value goes up.
Examples in context
- 我想飲水呀。I want some water.This sentence is useful for expressing a desire to drink 水.Tatoeba #1606909 by cantonesespoken, translation #270753 by CK
- 呢度有啲水。Here's some water.This sentence is useful for stating the presence of 水.Tatoeba #5641393 by kaenif, translation #61738 by CK
- 我俾滾水淥親。I burned myself with boiling water.This sentence is useful for describing an injury caused by boiling 水.Tatoeba #2183250 by nickyeow, translation #282143 by Iolanda
- 我要一杯水I want a glass of water
- 51 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
At a restaurant, a woman asks a man to help her.
- 美玲 Mei Ling志強，你有冇水呀？Zi3 koeng4, nei5 jau5 mou5 seoi2 aa3?Chi Keung, do you have any water?
- 志強 Chi Keung我有，等我攞杯水俾你。ngo5 jau5, dang2 ngo5 lo2 bui2 seoi2 bei2 nei5.I do, let me get a glass of water for you.
- 美玲 Mei Ling唔該晒，我好渴呀。m4 goi1 saai3, ngo5 hou2 hot3 aa3.Thank you so much, I am very thirsty.
- 志強 Chi Keung唔使客氣，飲多啲水啦。m4 sai2 haak3 hei3, jam2 do1 di1 seoi2 laa1.You're welcome, drink more water.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “water” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
