Definition
自来水 (zì lái shuǐ) refers specifically to tap water or running water from a municipal supply system. It differs from 饮用水 (yǐn yòng shuǐ), which means 'drinking water' and implies water safe to drink, and from 流水 (liú shuǐ), which is a broader term for any flowing water (e.g., a stream) or business turnover.
noun
tap waterrunning water (from a municipal supply)
Examples
- 自来水，？Zhè bēi zì lái shuǐ shì liáng de, kěyǐ hē ma?This glass of tap water is cold — can I drink it?
- 自来水。Xīn xiǎoqū yǐjīng tōng le zì lái shuǐ.The new residential area already has running water.
- 自来水。Yòng zì lái shuǐ xǐ cài bǐ yòng jǐngshuǐ gānjìng.Washing vegetables with tap water is cleaner than with well water.
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