取水 (qǔ shuǐ) — to obtain water, to take water (from a well, river, etc.)

Definition

A compound verb meaning 'to obtain or take water' (from a well, river, etc.), often used in technical, environmental, or household contexts rather than casual drinking.

verb
to obtain waterto take water (from a well, river, etc.)

Examples

  • 。
    Tā cóng jǐng lǐ qǔ le yí cì shuǐ.
    He took water from the well once.
  • 取水。
    Wǒ men xū yào cóng hé lǐ qǔ shuǐ.
    We need to take water from the river.
  • 取水。
    Zhè ge jī qì yòng lái qǔ shuǐ.
    This machine is used to obtain water.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
动宾dòngbīnVerb + object

An action followed by what it acts on, fused into one word.

取qǔtake
水shuǐwater

取 means take or draw, and 水 means water; together they describe obtaining water.

Characters in this word

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

取 pairs 又 (hand) with 耳 (ear), showing a hand taking an ear, as in taking the ear of fallen prey.

Open 取 →

A drawing of the thing itself, worn down over three thousand years into a few strokes.

水 is a simple drawing of water flowing.

Open 水 →

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