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March 24, 2026
水源()shuǐyuán(shui3yuan2)
水源 (shui3 yuan2) refers to the source of water, such as rivers, lakes, or aquifers that provide water for various uses. It is commonly used in environmental discussions regarding water conservation and management, as well as in geographical contexts when describing the origins of water bodies.
Frequency#11360DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, water sources are often revered and protected due to their importance in agriculture and daily life. Water conservation is a significant topic, especially in regions that face water scarcity, reflecting traditional values of harmony with nature.
Memory Tip
Imagine a fountain (水) that springs from the ground (源), symbolizing the source of water. You can visualize a stream flowing down from a mountain, nourishing the life around it, which helps you remember 'shui' for water and 'yuan' for origin.
Meanings of 水源
shuǐyuán(shui3yuan2)
1water source
2water supply
Exercise 1 of 2
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About 水源
水源Simplified
Traditional
—Strokes
—Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedBCT✓CEFRC2
Podcast: 水源
Podcast: 水源
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AI Study Notes for 水源
Quick Contrast
水源 (water source) vs 水域 (water area) — choose 水源 when discussing the origin of water, while 水域 refers to the bodies of water themselves.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a fountain (水) that springs from the ground (源), symbolizing the source of water. You can visualize a stream flowing down from a mountain, nourishing the life around it, which helps you remember 'shui' for water and 'yuan' for origin.
Usage Notes
Be careful not to confuse 水源 with just 水 (water), as it specifically denotes the source of water. It is used in both formal and informal contexts, particularly in discussions about ecology and resources. A common collocation is '保护水源' (protect water sources).
HSK Study Tips
Although 水源 is not an HSK level word, understanding it can help learners connect with related terms like 水 (water) and 源头 (source). Focus on the components of the word to enhance vocabulary around environmental topics.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, water sources are often revered and protected due to their importance in agriculture and daily life. Water conservation is a significant topic, especially in regions that face water scarcity, reflecting traditional values of harmony with nature.
Common Mistakes
Learners often mistakenly use 水源 to refer to water itself, rather than its source. For example, saying '我需要水源' (I need a water source) instead of '我需要水' (I need water) is incorrect.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 水源
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Cultural Notes for 水源
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, water sources are often revered and protected due to their importance in agriculture and daily life. Water conservation is a significant topic, especially in regions that face water scarcity, reflecting traditional values of harmony with nature.
Frequently Asked Questions about 水源
水源 specifically refers to the source of water, while 水 simply means water. So, 水源 is about where the water comes from.
Yes, but it's more commonly used in environmental contexts or discussions about water management.
Yes, another term is 源头 (yuan2 tou2), which also means source, but may not always specifically refer to water.
