Water in Chinese
The Chinese word for water is 水 (shuǐ). Soft yet powerful; one of the five elements.
shuǐ
Water
What 水 means.
水 is one of the five elements, linked with winter and wisdom. Laozi wrote 上善若水: the highest good is like water, which benefits all things without contending.
- 水
- water
Simplified and traditional
水
水
水 is written the same way in simplified and traditional Chinese, so every Chinese reader recognises it.
About water in Chinese
How do you write water in Chinese?
Water is 水 in Chinese, pronounced shuǐ. Water
How do you pronounce 水?
Say shuǐ (third tone, dipping). Mandarin tones change meaning, so it is worth listening to a native speaker once.
Is 水 different in traditional Chinese?
No. 水 is written the same way in simplified and traditional Chinese.
Is 水 a good Chinese tattoo?
Yes, it is a real, everyday Chinese word rather than a machine translation, so Chinese readers will understand it. As a single character it works even at small sizes. Choose a readable style such as Kaishu, bring a clean reference to your artist, and show it to a fluent reader before your appointment.