Japanese Symbol for

mizu

water · fluid · Wednesday

Readings

  • ONスイsui
  • KUNみずmizu

Meaning

Water, fluid. 水 is one of the five classical elements (五行 — gogyō) alongside fire, wood, metal, and earth. The character depicts flowing water. It also names Wednesday — 水曜日 (suiyōbi, "water day").

水曜日

suiyōbi

Wednesday (water day)

水道

suidō

water supply, tap water

水泳

suiei

swimming

洪水

kōzui

flood

水墨画

suibokuga

ink wash painting

水面

suimen

water surface

Stroke order for 水

水 (water) as a classical element represents adaptability, wisdom, and the ability to overcome obstacles by flowing around them. Japan's island geography means water is deeply embedded in the culture — from onsen (hot springs) to 水墨画 (suibokuga, ink-wash painting) to the concept of 流れ (nagare — flow) as a metaphor for life's passage.

Learn to read Japanese

Hiragana and katakana are the keys to reading Japanese. Our free trainers get them locked in fast.