The usual word for “water” in Japanese is 水, read mizu. In everyday speech, you will also hear お水 (omizu), a polite form often used when ordering a drink.
water = 水 (mizu)
Polite: お水 (omizu)
Mizu: Water in Japanese
水 is pronounced mizu, with two syllables: mi-zu. Japanese vowels are short and clear. The word can refer to water generally, including drinking water. The same character appears in 水曜日, Wednesday, with the reading sui.
Meaning: water
The Polite Form Omizu
Adding o- makes the word sound more polite: お水 (omizu). This form is common in restaurants and other service settings. When asking for water, a natural polite phrase is お水をください (omizu o kudasai), “Water, please.”
| Japanese | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 水 | みず (mizu) | water |
| お水 | おみず (omizu) | water (polite) |
| 水をください | mizu o kudasai | Water, please |
| お水をください | omizu o kudasai | Water, please (polite) |
Useful Phrases with Mizu
- お水をください。 — Water, please.
- 水を飲みます。 — I drink water.
- 水はありますか。 — Is there any water?
The particle を marks water as the thing being requested or consumed. In polite conversation, finish a request with ください.
Frequently Asked Questions About Water in Japanese
Tap a question below to see the answer.
Should I say mizu or omizu?
Mizu is the plain word. Omizu is more polite and is common when ordering at a restaurant.
How do I ask for water politely?
Say お水をください (omizu o kudasai).
Summary: Water in Japanese
水 is mizu, the everyday word for water. Use the polite form お水 (omizu) when ordering, and say お水をください to ask for water politely.
