When you're learning Chinese, you'll find that many words are quite literal. Take 冷水 (lěngshuǐ) for example. It means 'cold water.' It's formed by combining 冷 (lěng), which means cold, and 水 (shuǐ), which means water.
You'll hear this often in daily life, like when asking for a drink or talking about the weather. It's a foundational term for understanding more complex phrases about temperature or liquids. Keep an ear out for it, and you'll quickly pick up on its natural usage.
When talking about drinks, it's normal to specify if you want something hot or cold. For water, the common term is 冷水 (lěng shuǐ), which literally means cold water. If you want a drink without ice, you can say 不要冰 (bú yào bīng). Sometimes, though, 冰水 (bīng shuǐ) is used for iced water, so if you just want plain cold water from the tap or fridge without ice, 冷水 is your best bet.
When we talk about “冷水” (lěngshuǐ), we are literally saying “cold water.” However, this term extends beyond just the temperature of the water. For example, if you are expressing your disappointment about something, you could say “泼冷水” (pōlěngshuǐ), meaning “to pour cold water on something” or “to dampen enthusiasm.” This is a common idiom.
It can also be used in contexts related to health or daily life situations where cold water plays a role. Think of a child who drank some cold water and now has a stomachache – “小孩子喝了冷水，肚子疼” (xiǎoháizi hēle lěngshuǐ, dùzi téng). It's a fundamental term with practical applications in various everyday scenarios.
§ Basic Usage with Verbs
The most common way to use 冷水 is directly with verbs that involve using or interacting with water. Think about what you do with cold water in English, and chances are the Chinese is quite similar.
请给我一杯冷水。(Qǐng gěi wǒ yī bēi lěngshuǐ.)
Translation hint: Please give me a glass of cold water.
我喜欢喝冷水。(Wǒ xǐhuān hē lěngshuǐ.)
Translation hint: I like to drink cold water.
他用冷水洗脸。(Tā yòng lěngshuǐ xǐ liǎn.)
Translation hint: He uses cold water to wash his face.
§ With Quantifiers
Like many nouns in Chinese, 冷水 often appears with a quantifier when you're talking about a specific amount. The most common quantifier for water is 杯 (bēi) for a glass or bottle, and 瓶 (píng) for a bottle.
请给我一瓶冷水。(Qǐng gěi wǒ yī píng lěngshuǐ.)
Translation hint: Please give me a bottle of cold water.
§ In More Complex Sentences
You can also use 冷水 in more descriptive sentences, often as part of a longer phrase describing a situation or an action.
夏天的时候，我喜欢用冷水冲澡。(Xiàtiān de shíhou, wǒ xǐhuān yòng lěngshuǐ chōngzǎo.)
Translation hint: In the summer, I like to take a shower with cold water.
Here, 用 (yòng) means 'to use', indicating that cold water is the medium for the action of showering.
这瓶冷水有点儿甜。(Zhè píng lěngshuǐ yǒudiǎnr tián.)
Translation hint: This bottle of cold water is a bit sweet.
In this example, 冷水 is the subject of the sentence, being described by an adjective. It's really straightforward.
§ Things to Watch Out For
No definite or indefinite articles: Chinese doesn't use words like 'a' or 'the'. So, 冷水 can mean 'cold water', 'a cold water', or 'the cold water' depending on context.
Adjective-Noun order: In Chinese, adjectives generally come before the noun they describe. 冷 (lěng) means 'cold', and 水 (shuǐ) means 'water', so putting them together as 冷水 makes perfect sense.
§ Related Vocabulary
- 热水 (rèshuǐ)
- hot water. This is the direct opposite of 冷水.
- 水 (shuǐ)
- water. The general term for water, regardless of temperature.
§ Practice Sentences
Try to translate these sentences on your own before looking at the hints:
我口渴了，想喝点儿冷水。(Wǒ kǒu kě le, xiǎng hē diǎnr lěngshuǐ.)
Translation hint: I'm thirsty, I want to drink some cold water.
请把这杯冷水放在桌子上。(Qǐng bǎ zhè bēi lěngshuǐ fàng zài zhuōzi shàng.)
Translation hint: Please put this glass of cold water on the table.
As you can see, using 冷水 in sentences is quite straightforward. Just like in English, you'll pair it with verbs for drinking, washing, or simply describing it. The key is to practice and get comfortable with its natural placement in Chinese sentence structure.
§ Understanding 冷水 (lěng shuǐ)
Let's talk about how to say and use 'cold water' in Chinese. The term is 冷水 (lěng shuǐ), and it's a very common and practical phrase you'll use often.
- DEFINITION
- cold water
冷水 (lěng shuǐ) is pretty straightforward. It's used when you literally mean water that is cold in temperature. Think about asking for a glass of cold water or talking about cold water from the tap.
请给我一杯冷水。(Qǐng gěi wǒ yī bēi lěng shuǐ.)
Translation: Please give me a glass of cold water.
这水是冷水。(Zhè shuǐ shì lěng shuǐ.)
Translation: This water is cold water.
§ Similar words and when to use 冷水 vs alternatives
While 冷水 (lěng shuǐ) directly translates to 'cold water', there are other terms related to water temperature. It's important to know the differences so you use the correct word.
- 热水 (rè shuǐ) - hot water: This is the opposite of 冷水. You'd use this when you want hot water for tea, coffee, or a hot bath.
我需要一些热水泡茶。(Wǒ xūyào yī xiē rè shuǐ pào chá.)
Translation: I need some hot water to make tea.
- 温水 (wēn shuǐ) - warm water: This refers to water that is neither cold nor hot, but pleasantly warm. It's often used for drinking or washing.
宝宝喜欢喝温水。(Bǎo bǎo xǐ huān hē wēn shuǐ.)
Translation: The baby likes to drink warm water.
In summary:
- Use 冷水 (lěng shuǐ) when you mean water that is physically cold, like from a refrigerator or a cold tap.
- Use 热水 (rè shuǐ) for water that is hot, usually for cooking, making drinks, or bathing.
- Use 温水 (wēn shuǐ) for water that is warm and comfortable, often for drinking or delicate washing.
These distinctions are important for clear communication, especially when you're ordering drinks or asking for water for specific purposes.
Pronunciation Guide
- confusing with 'hot water' (热水 - rè shuǐ)
- incorrect tone for 'lěng' (third tone, falling-rising)
Difficulty Rating
short
short
short
short
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Advanced
Examples by Level
我喜欢喝冷水。
I like to drink cold water.
请给我一杯冷水。
Please give me a cup of cold water.
冷水对身体好吗？
Is cold water good for the body?
夏天我常常喝冷水。
In summer, I often drink cold water.
不要喝太多冷水。
Don't drink too much cold water.
冰箱里有冷水。
There is cold water in the refrigerator.
他不喜欢喝冷水。
He doesn't like to drink cold water.
这杯水很冷。
This cup of water is very cold.
他用冷水洗脸，试图让自己清醒过来。
He washed his face with cold water, trying to wake himself up.
炎炎夏日，一杯冷水是最好的解渴良药。
On a scorching summer day, a glass of cold water is the best thirst quencher.
医生建议他用冷水敷在扭伤的脚踝上，以减轻肿胀。
The doctor advised him to apply cold water to his sprained ankle to reduce swelling.
她把刚烧开的水兑了点冷水，才给孩子冲奶粉。
She mixed some cold water into the freshly boiled water before making formula for the baby.
这杯酒里加了些冷水，味道就淡了许多。
Some cold water was added to this drink, and the taste became much lighter.
冬泳爱好者即使在寒冷的冬天也坚持用冷水洗澡。
Winter swimmers insist on taking cold showers even in the cold winter.
突然被一盆冷水泼到，她全身都湿透了。
Suddenly splashed with a basin of cold water, she was soaked through.
他给这次充满激情的讨论泼了一盆冷水，指出了一些实际的困难。
He threw a bucket of cold water on the passionate discussion, pointing out some practical difficulties.
Test Yourself 42 questions
请给我一杯___。
The sentence asks for a glass of cold water. '冷水' means cold water.
天气很热，我想喝___。
When the weather is hot, people usually want to drink cold water. '冷水' means cold water.
他不喜欢喝___，只喜欢喝热水。
The sentence states he doesn't like to drink something, and only likes hot water. So, '冷水' (cold water) fits here.
请不要用___洗脸，用热水。
The sentence advises not to use 'cold water' to wash your face, but to use hot water. '冷水' means cold water.
桌子上有两杯水，一杯是热水，一杯是___。
If one cup is hot water, the other is likely 'cold water'. '冷水' means cold water.
我有点儿渴，请给我一点儿___。
When you are thirsty, you usually ask for 'cold water'. '冷水' means cold water.
Listen for 'cold water' in the request.
Listen to identify what the speaker likes to drink.
Listen for the reason the speaker wants cold water.
Read this aloud:
我需要冷水。
Focus: lěng shuǐ
You said:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
请给我冷水。
Focus: qǐng gěi wǒ lěng shuǐ
You said:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
这不是冷水。
Focus: zhè bú shì lěng shuǐ
You said:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Write a short sentence using 冷水 (lěngshuǐ) to describe someone drinking it.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
他喜欢喝冷水。(Tā xǐhuān hē lěngshuǐ.) - He likes to drink cold water.
Imagine you are asking for cold water at a restaurant. Write the simple question.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
我要冷水，好吗？(Wǒ yào lěngshuǐ, hǎo ma?) - I want cold water, okay?
Describe a simple situation where you would need cold water, using 冷水.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
天气很热，我需要冷水。(Tiānqì hěn rè, wǒ xūyào lěngshuǐ.) - The weather is hot, I need cold water.
What does '妈妈' (māmā - mom) think about drinking too much cold water?
Read this passage:
妈妈说："不要喝太多冷水，对身体不好。" (Māmā shuō: "Bùyào hē tài duō lěngshuǐ, duì shēntǐ bù hǎo.")
What does '妈妈' (māmā - mom) think about drinking too much cold water?
The sentence says '对身体不好' (duì shēntǐ bù hǎo) which means 'not good for the body'.
The sentence says '对身体不好' (duì shēntǐ bù hǎo) which means 'not good for the body'.
What is the waiter asking?
Read this passage:
服务员问："请问，您要热水还是冷水？" (Fúwùyuán wèn: "Qǐngwèn, nín yào rèshuǐ háishì lěngshuǐ?")
What is the waiter asking?
The options are '热水' (rèshuǐ - hot water) and '冷水' (lěngshuǐ - cold water).
The options are '热水' (rèshuǐ - hot water) and '冷水' (lěngshuǐ - cold water).
When do people like to drink cold water?
Read this passage:
夏天的时候，大家都喜欢喝冷水。 (Xiàtiān de shíhou, dàjiā dōu xǐhuān hē lěngshuǐ.)
When do people like to drink cold water?
'夏天' (xiàtiān) means summer.
'夏天' (xiàtiān) means summer.
This sentence means 'I want cold water.'
This sentence means 'Do you drink cold water?'
This sentence means 'Please bring a glass of cold water.'
请给我一杯___。
The speaker is asking for a cup of cold water.
夏天的时候，我喜欢喝___。
In summer, people usually prefer cold drinks.
她用___洗脸。
People often wash their face with cold water.
医生建议我多喝___。
Doctors often recommend drinking more water for health.
运动后，喝一杯___感觉很好。
After exercise, a cold drink is refreshing.
这个水龙头只有___。
The faucet only dispenses cold water.
The speaker is asking for a drink.
The speaker is talking about a shower preference.
The speaker is giving advice to someone who is sick.
Read this aloud:
他只喝冷水。
Focus: lěng shuǐ
You said:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
夏天我喜欢喝冷水。
Focus: xià tiān, lěng shuǐ
You said:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
请不要用冷水洗碗。
Focus: lěng shuǐ, xǐ wǎn
You said:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Pour the cold water into the cup.
He likes to drink cold water, not hot water.
Please give me a glass of cold water, thank you.
Read this aloud:
我需要冷水来洗脸。
Focus: 冷水 (lěng shuǐ)
You said:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
夏天我总是想喝冷水。
Focus: 总是 (zǒngshì)
You said:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
用冷水冲洗伤口。
Focus: 冲洗 (chōngxǐ)
You said:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
/ 42 correct
Perfect score!
Related Content
This Word in Other Languages
More food words
一两
B1Fifty grams; a Chinese unit of weight (approx. 50g).
一斤
B1Half a kilogram; a Chinese unit of weight (approx. 500g).
一袋
B1A bag of.
少一点儿
A2A bit less.
多一点儿
A2A bit more.
一口
B1A mouthful; a bite; a small amount (of food or drink).
一瓶
B1A bottle of.
一碗
B1Measure word for a bowl of food.
一盒
B1A box of.
一杯
B1Measure word for a cup of liquid.
