Definition
水源 (shuǐ yuán) is the concrete, everyday term for a physical water source (a river, lake, or reservoir). 源头 (yuán tóu) is narrower, meaning the very beginning/headwaters of a river; 源泉 (yuán quán) is more literary and often used figuratively for the 'source' of something abstract (e.g., inspiration).
noun
water sourceheadwaters
Examples
- 水源。Bǎohù shuǐ yuán shì wǒmen měi gè rén de zérèn.Protecting water sources is everyone's responsibility.
- 水源。Zhège chéngshì de shuǐ yuán láizì yuǎn chù de shān.This city's water source comes from distant mountains.
- 水源。Wūrǎn zhèng wēixié zhe zhège shuǐ yuán.Pollution is threatening this water source.
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