Master JLPT N5 Kanji: 水 (Water / Wednesday)

Whether you are ordering a refreshing drink at a restaurant, washing your hands, or simply scheduling your mid-week appointments, this character is a daily essential. Today, we are deep-diving into a vital N5 character that flows through nature, daily life, and time: 水.

📌 Quick Profile: 水

• Meaning: Water

• JLPT Level: N5 (Beginner)

• Strokes: 4

• Onyomi (Chinese Reading): スイ (sui)

• Kunyomi (Japanese Reading): みず (mizu)

📖 Readings & Core Vocabulary

The character 水 alters its pronunciation cleanly depending on whether it stands alone or pairs up with other characters to form compound words. Master these core items for the N5 exam:

• 水 (みず – mizu): Water

• 水曜日 (すいようび – suiyoubi): Wednesday (Literally: Water Day)

• お水 (おみず – omizu): Water (Polite/Common form used when ordering)

• 水泳 (すいえい – suiei): Swimming

• 水道 (すいどう – suidou): Water supply / Tap water

💬 5 Natural Sentence Examples

Context ensures long-term memory retention. Here are 5 natural, level-appropriate example sentences showing how 水 functions organically in everyday Japanese.

Example 1: Ordering drinks at a restaurant

日本語: すみません、お水をください。

Furigana: すみません、おみずを ください。

Romaji: Sumimasen, omizu o kudasai.

English: Excuse me, water please.

Example 2: Setting up mid-week plans

日本語: 水曜日の午後に友達と映画を見ます。

Furigana: すいようびの ごごに ともだちと えいがを みます。

Romaji: Suiyoubi no gogo ni tomodachi to eiga o mimasu.

English: I am watching a movie with my friend on Wednesday afternoon.

Example 3: Staying hydrated during physical activity

日本語: 暑いので、たくさん水を飲みます。

Furigana: あついので、たくさん みずを のみます。

Romaji: Atsui nide, takusan mizu o nomimasu.

English: Because it is hot, I drink a lot of water.

Example 4: Discussing hobbies or sports

日本語: 私は毎週水泳の練習をします。

Furigana: わたしは まいしゅう すいえいの れんしゅうを します。

Romaji: Watashi wa maishuu suiei no renshuu o shimasu.

English: I practice swimming every week.

Example 5: Dealing with household utilities

日本語: 水道から冷たい水が出ます。

Furigana: すいどうから つめたい みずが でます。

Romaji: Suidou kara tsumetai mizu ga demasu.

English: Cold water comes out of the tap.

💡 Mnemonics: How to Remember It?

Remembering 水 is visual and intuitive once you look at its fluid nature:

• Picture a dynamic drawing of a splashing waterfall or river current.

The straight vertical stroke down the center represents the main, heavy stream of water falling down. The curved hooks and strokes jumping off to the left and right sides represent the water droplets and ripples breaking away as the current moves fast. Think of fluid motion and hydration!