冷水(れいすい)

The standard word for cold water in somewhat formal or written contexts. In everyday speech, 冷(つめ)たい水(みず) is more common. The reading 冷水(れいすい) is standard; the reading ひやみず also exists but is less common.

Common collocations

• 冷水(れいすい)を浴(あ)びせる: to throw cold water on (figuratively: to dampen enthusiasm)
• 冷水(れいすい)シャワー: cold water shower
• 冷水(れいすい)で冷(ひ)やす: to cool with cold water

Related words

• 冷水(れいすい)を浴(あ)びせる is a common figurative expression meaning to throw cold water on someone's plans or enthusiasm, similar to the English idiom.

Similar words

• 冷(つめ)たい水(みず): cold water — the everyday, spoken equivalent
• 温水(おんすい): warm water — the opposite term, also used in formal/written contexts