How to say “water” in Japanese

水
みずmizu
nounJLPT N5Food & drink
The short answer

“Water” in Japanese is 水 (みず), pronounced mizu.

Pronunciation

The word has 2 beats (morae), each about the same length. Tap a syllable to hear it, or play the whole word:

How to use it

Water, specifically cold or room-temperature water. Hot water is a different word: (oyu). In restaurants, water is usually free: ask for .

Example sentences

  • 水をください。みずをください。
    Water, please.
  • 水を飲みます。みずをのみます。
    I drink water.
MeaningJapaneseReading
hot waterお湯おゆ oyu

Quick practice

Test yourself0/3
  1. What does {{水}} mean?

  2. How do you read {{水}}?

  3. Which word means “coffee”?

FAQ

How do you say water in Japanese?

Water in Japanese is 水 (みず), pronounced “mizu”.

How do you write water in Japanese?

It's written 水 with kanji, or みず in hiragana. Both are read mizu.

Is 水 on the JLPT?

Yes. 水 (mizu) is a common word at JLPT N5 level, so it's worth learning early.