淡水

たんすい

fresh water

JLPT N2

Character Breakdown

Meaning and Usage

"淡水" primarily refers to Tamsui (Danshui), a district in New Taipei City, Taiwan, known for its scenic waterfront and cultural sites. Besides the proper noun usage, "淡水" literally means "freshwater" or "non-salty water," contrasting with "" (seawater).

Common Contexts

  • When talking about geography or travel, "淡水" usually denotes the district famous for tourism.
  • In scientific or culinary contexts, "淡水" refers to freshwater, important for distinguishing types of fish or water sources.

Collocations and Patterns

  • 淡水 (freshwater fish): used in cooking or biology to specify fish from freshwater.
  • 淡水 (freshwater lake): a natural body of freshwater.
  • 淡水资源 (freshwater resources): used in environmental or resource discussions.

Usage Notes

When using "淡水" to mean freshwater, it often appears in compound nouns. As a place name, it is capitalized and contextually clear. Avoid confusing "淡水" with "" (faint, light) or other similar-sounding words. The tone and context usually clarify whether it refers to the place or the type of water.

Example Sentences

We plan to travel to Tamsui next month; it has a beautiful coastline.

Freshwater fish and saltwater fish taste very different.

This bottle contains freshwater, not seawater, suitable for drinking.