noun HSK 3
Traditional 水壺
shuǐ
kettle · water bottle · thermos

Meaning

水壶 refers to a container used for holding or boiling water. It can mean a kettle (for boiling water), a water bottle (for carrying water), or a thermos (for keeping water hot or cold). The specific meaning depends on context, but all refer to vessels designed for water.

Usage

In daily conversation, 水壶 is most commonly used for electric kettles in the kitchen or insulated water bottles people carry. When specifying type, Chinese speakers often add descriptors like 电水壶 (electric kettle) or 保温水壶 (thermos bottle). It's a common household item term used in neutral, everyday register.

Examples

  1. 01
    我每天早上用电水壶烧开水。
    měi tiān zǎoshang yòng diàn shuǐ shāo kāi shuǐ.
    I use an electric kettle to boil water every morning.
  2. 02
    出门的时候别忘了带水壶
    Chū mén de shíhou bié wàng le dài shuǐ .
    Don't forget to bring your water bottle when you go out.

Characters

Measure words

  • 一个水壶
  • 一把水壶

Common collocations

  • 水壶
    diàn shuǐ
    electric kettle
  • 水壶
    shāo shuǐ
    kettle for boiling water
  • 保温水壶
    bǎo wēn shuǐ
    insulated water bottle
  • 一壶水
    shuǐ
    a kettle/bottle of water

Origin

The word combines 水 (water) with 壶 (a vessel with a spout and handle), creating a straightforward compound meaning a vessel specifically for water.

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