Meaning
Water served at a low temperature.
Cultural Background
Water is often associated with light and clarity. If someone is going on a journey, it is a tradition to throw water behind them so their path is 'clear like water'. In villages, 'soyuq su' is almost always synonymous with 'bulaq suyu' (spring water). People will often travel long distances to fill jugs from a specific cold spring known for its taste. During the summer heat, 'soyuq su' is a survival necessity. Street vendors sell small bottles of chilled water everywhere, often shouting 'Soyuq su! Buz kimi!' There is a belief that drinking cold water while standing is bad for the stomach. Many people will sit down to drink even a quick glass of 'soyuq su'.
Ordering
When ordering in Baku, just say 'Soyuq su' and the waiter will usually bring a 0.5L bottle of local mineral water like Sirab or Badamlı.
Health Taboo
Avoid asking for very cold water if you are visibly coughing; locals will worry about your health!
Meaning
Water served at a low temperature.
Ordering
When ordering in Baku, just say 'Soyuq su' and the waiter will usually bring a 0.5L bottle of local mineral water like Sirab or Badamlı.
Health Taboo
Avoid asking for very cold water if you are visibly coughing; locals will worry about your health!
The Idiom
Use 'üstündən soyuq su iç' to sound like a native when someone is stressing over a small financial loss.
Hospitality
If someone offers you water, it's polite to take at least a sip, even if you aren't thirsty.
Test Yourself
Fill in the blank with the correct form of 'water'.
Mən soyuq ___ içmək istəyirəm.
In this sentence, 'su' is the direct object in the indefinite accusative, which looks like the nominative.
Which phrase means 'to forget about a loss'?
Pulu itirdin? İndi get...
The full idiom for accepting a loss is 'üstündən soyuq su içmək'.
Match the Azerbaijani phrase with its English meaning.
Match the following:
These are the four main temperature variations for water.
Complete the dialogue at the restaurant.
Ofisiant: Nə içmək istəyirsiniz? Müştəri: ________.
This is the most natural way to order cold water.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
4 exercisesMən soyuq ___ içmək istəyirəm.
In this sentence, 'su' is the direct object in the indefinite accusative, which looks like the nominative.
Pulu itirdin? İndi get...
The full idiom for accepting a loss is 'üstündən soyuq su içmək'.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
These are the four main temperature variations for water.
Ofisiant: Nə içmək istəyirsiniz? Müştəri: ________.
This is the most natural way to order cold water.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsIt is neutral and appropriate for all settings.
Ask for 'buzlu su'.
'Soyuq' is cold (like from a fridge), 'sərin' is cool (like a breeze).
It's an idiom meaning to accept the loss and move on.
Yes, it takes 'y' as a buffer consonant (suyu, suyun).
Yes, 'soyuq su ilə çimmək' means to bathe with cold water.
Sirab, Badamlı, and Slavyanka are very popular.
In Baku, most people prefer bottled or filtered water over tap water.
Mənə soyuq su lazımdır.
Yes, 'soyuq adam' means a 'cold/unfriendly person'.
Related Phrases
İsti su
contrastHot water
Sərin su
similarCool water
Buzlu su
specialized formIced water
Su kimi
builds onLike water
Dəniz suyu
specialized formSea water
Qaynar su
contrastBoiling water
