Meaning and Usage
"水道" (すいどう) refers to the water supply system, including water pipes and the service that delivers water to homes and buildings. It is commonly used in everyday conversation when talking about water infrastructure, bills, or maintenance.
Common Collocations
- 水道料金 (すいどうりょうきん): water bill, used when discussing payment for water usage.
- 水道管 (すいどうかん): water pipe, referring to the physical pipes carrying water.
- 水道が通る (すいどうがとおる): water service is connected, used when a building gains access to water supply.
Usage Notes
When using 水道, speakers often imply the public or municipal water supply rather than private water sources. It is a neutral term suitable for both formal and informal contexts. A common learner mistake is confusing 水道 with 水 (water) alone; 水道 specifically relates to the infrastructure or service, not just water itself.