gōngshuǐ: 供水 - Water Supply, to Supply Water

• Keywords: gōngshuǐ, 供水, water supply, supply water, running water in China, Chinese utilities, water outage, public infrastructure, water bill in Chinese
• Summary: Discover the meaning of gōngshuǐ (供水), the essential Chinese term for water supply or to supply water. This page provides a comprehensive guide for learners, covering everything from the character breakdown to its role in China's modern development. Understand how gōngshuǐ is used in daily life, such as dealing with a water outage or paying a utility bill, through practical example sentences and cultural insights into China's public infrastructure.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): gōngshuǐ
• Part of Speech: Verb / Noun
• HSK Level: HSK 5
• Concise Definition: The system for providing water or the action of supplying water.
• In a Nutshell: `供水` is a straightforward and practical term for the public utility of water. As a noun, it refers to the “water supply” system itself (e.g., “The city's water supply is stable”). As a verb, it means “to supply water” (e.g., “This reservoir supplies water to three towns”). It's a fundamental word for discussing daily life, infrastructure, and urban management in China.

• 供 (gōng): This character means “to provide,” “to supply,” or “to offer.” It's composed of the person radical (亻) on the left and 共 (gòng), meaning “together” or “common.” You can think of it as a person (亻) providing something for the common (共) good.
• 水 (shuǐ): This is the basic and ancient character for “water.” It is a pictogram, originally drawn to resemble a flowing river or stream.
• The two characters combine literally and logically. 供 (to supply) + 水 (water) = 供水 (to supply water / water supply). It's a clear and direct compound word with no hidden figurative meaning.

While `供水` is a modern, technical term, it taps into a deep cultural context surrounding water management and its connection to societal stability and progress in China. Historically, controlling water (whether for preventing floods or for irrigation) was seen as a primary duty of a capable ruler and a sign of a prosperous dynasty. Today, this concept has evolved. A reliable, nationwide `供水` system is a powerful symbol of modern China's development, technological prowess, and the government's ability to provide for its citizens. To a Westerner, a stable water supply is often taken for granted. In China, particularly for older generations or those from rural areas, the shift from fetching water from a well to having consistent running water at home represents a monumental improvement in quality of life. Therefore, discussions about expanding `供水` infrastructure, like the massive South-to-North Water Diversion Project (南水北调工程), are not just about engineering; they are a source of national pride and a tangible measure of the country's progress.

`供水` is a neutral, standard term used across various contexts, from casual conversation to formal government reports.

• In Daily Life: You'll encounter this term when dealing with household issues. For example, you might receive a text message from your building management announcing a planned `供水` suspension (暂停供水) for maintenance. You would also contact the `供水公司` (water supply company) if you have a problem with your water.
• In the News and Official Contexts: Media and government announcements frequently use `供水` to discuss urban planning, drought relief efforts, infrastructure projects, and public utility management. Phrases like `供水紧张` (tight water supply) or `保障城市供水` (guaranteeing the city's water supply) are common.
• Formality: The term itself is neither overly formal nor informal. It is the standard, correct word to use in almost any situation when referring to the water supply system or service.

• Example 1:
  • 由于管道维修，明天上午八点到十点将暂停供水。
  • Pinyin: Yóuyú guǎndào wéixiū, míngtiān shàngwǔ bā diǎn dào shí diǎn jiāng zàntíng gōngshuǐ.
  • English: Due to pipe maintenance, the water supply will be suspended from 8 AM to 10 AM tomorrow.
  • Analysis: This is a very common type of public notice you might see posted in an apartment building or receive as a message. `暂停 (zàntíng)` means “to suspend temporarily.”
• Example 2:
  • 我们小区的供水系统太旧了，需要彻底改造。
  • Pinyin: Wǒmen xiǎoqū de gōngshuǐ xìtǒng tài jiù le, xūyào chèdǐ gǎizào.
  • English: The water supply system in our residential community is too old and needs a complete overhaul.
  • Analysis: This sentence uses `供水` as a noun, part of the compound `供水系统` (water supply system), to talk about infrastructure.
• Example 3:
  • 这座水库负责为周边三个城市供水。
  • Pinyin: Zhè zuò shuǐkù fùzé wèi zhōubiān sān ge chéngshì gōngshuǐ.
  • English: This reservoir is responsible for supplying water to the three surrounding cities.
  • Analysis: Here, `供水` is used as a verb, “to supply water.” Note the structure `为 (wèi)… 供水`, meaning “to supply water for/to…”
• Example 4:
  • 如果你对水费有疑问，可以联系供水公司。
  • Pinyin: Rúguǒ nǐ duì shuǐfèi yǒu yíwèn, kěyǐ liánxì gōngshuǐ gōngsī.
  • English: If you have questions about your water bill, you can contact the water supply company.
  • Analysis: `供水公司` is a fixed term for “water supply company” or “water utility.”
• Example 5:
  • 持续的干旱导致当地供水非常紧张。
  • Pinyin: Chíxù de gānhàn dǎozhì dāngdì gōngshuǐ fēicháng jǐnzhāng.
  • English: The continuous drought has caused the local water supply to become very tight.
  • Analysis: `供水紧张` is a common collocation used in news reports to describe water shortages.
• Example 6:
  • 政府承诺要解决偏远地区的供水问题。
  • Pinyin: Zhèngfǔ chéngnuò yào jiějué piānyuǎn dìqū de gōngshuǐ wèntí.
  • English: The government has promised to solve the water supply problems in remote areas.
  • Analysis: This demonstrates the use of the term in a socio-political context, relating to development and public services.
• Example 7:
  • 新建的工厂需要稳定的供水和供电。
  • Pinyin: Xīnjiàn de gōngchǎng xūyào wěndìng de gōngshuǐ hé gōngdiàn.
  • English: The newly built factory requires a stable water supply and power supply.
  • Analysis: This shows how `供水` is often paired with its parallel concept, `供电 (gōngdiàn)`, power supply.
• Example 8:
  • 昨晚突然停水了，今天早上供水才恢复。
  • Pinyin: Zuówǎn tūrán tíngshuǐ le, jīntiān zǎoshang gōngshuǐ cái huīfù.
  • English: The water was suddenly cut off last night, and the water supply was only restored this morning.
  • Analysis: This shows the relationship between `停水` (water stoppage) and `供水`. `恢复 (huīfù)` means “to restore” or “to resume.”
• Example 9:
  • 城市的供水能力直接影响其发展潜力。
  • Pinyin: Chéngshì de gōngshuǐ nénglì zhíjiē yǐngxiǎng qí fāzhǎn qiánlì.
  • English: A city's water supply capacity directly affects its development potential.
  • Analysis: A more abstract and formal usage, linking `供水` to urban planning and economics.
• Example 10:
  • 请问，是这里负责处理供水中断的报修吗？
  • Pinyin: Qǐngwèn, shì zhèlǐ fùzé chǔlǐ gōngshuǐ zhōngduàn de bàoxiū ma?
  • English: Excuse me, is this the place in charge of handling repair requests for water supply interruptions?
  • Analysis: A practical sentence you might use when calling a property management office. `中断 (zhōngduàn)` means “interruption.”

• `供水` (gōngshuǐ) vs. `自来水` (zìláishuǐ): This is the most common point of confusion for learners.
  • `供水` refers to the service, system, or action of supplying water.
  • `自来水` refers to the product that comes out of your tap: tap water.
  • You can think of `供水` as the delivery network and `自来水` as the package that is delivered.
  • Incorrect: 我不喝供水。 (Wǒ bù hē gōngshuǐ.) - “I don't drink the water supply system.”
  • Correct: 我不喝自来水。 (Wǒ bù hē zìláishuǐ.) - “I don't drink tap water.”
• `供水` (gōngshuǐ) vs. `水` (shuǐ): Do not use `供水` when you simply mean “water” as a substance. `供水` is specifically about the utility service.
  • Incorrect: 你能给我一杯供水吗？ (Nǐ néng gěi wǒ yī bēi gōngshuǐ ma?)
  • Correct: 你能给我一杯水吗？ (Nǐ néng gěi wǒ yī bēi shuǐ ma?) - “Can you give me a glass of water?”

• 自来水 (zìláishuǐ) - Tap water; the water that the `供水` system provides.
• 停水 (tíngshuǐ) - Water stoppage/outage; a temporary interruption of `供水`.
• 供电 (gōngdiàn) - Power supply; the parallel utility concept for electricity.
• 水电费 (shuǐdiànfèi) - Water and electricity bill; the fee paid for `供水` and `供电` services.
• 基础设施 (jīchǔ shèshī) - Infrastructure; `供水` is a critical component of a city's infrastructure.
• 水龙头 (shuǐlóngtóu) - Faucet, tap; the endpoint of the `供水` system inside a building.
• 水库 (shuǐkù) - Reservoir; a primary source of water for a city's `供水` system.
• 节约用水 (jiéyuē yòngshuǐ) - To conserve water; a common public service slogan related to the use of the `供水`.
• 水管 (shuǐguǎn) - Water pipe; the physical component of a `供水` system.