물을 주다

The structure is very easy to follow. You take the thing receiving water and add the particle 에 (to). For example, 꽃에 물을 주다 means 'to give water to the flowers.' If you are talking to a friend, you might drop the particle 을 and just say 물 주다. It sounds more natural in fast conversation. Just remember to conjugate 주다 based on who you are talking to.

Use this when you are doing your morning chores. It is perfect for telling a roommate you already watered the lilies. You will also hear it at garden centers or in office settings. If you see a sad, drooping plant on a coworker's desk, this is your go-to phrase. It is also used when filling up a pet's water bowl. It implies a sense of caretaking.

Do not use this phrase when offering a drink to a person. Giving water to a human is usually 물을 드리다 (formal) or 물을 따르다 (to pour water). Using 물을 주다 for a person can sound like you are treating them like a plant or a pet. It might come off as a bit rude or condescending. Also, do not use it for rain; rain just 'comes' (비가 오다).

Koreans have a huge passion for 'home gardening' (홈 가드닝). Many people living in high-rise apartments fill their balconies with plants. It is a way to stay connected to nature in the city. There is even a popular term '식집사' (plant butler). It means someone who serves their plants like a butler. For a '식집사', 물을 주다 is the most important task of the day.

You will often see the shortened version 물 주다 in texts. If you are being polite to an elder, use 물을 드시다 or 물을 드리다 for the act of giving. For a more professional 'watering' in a large-scale farming context, you might hear 관수하다. But for 99% of your life, 물을 주다 is exactly what you need.