Meaning and Usage
"开水" literally means "boiled water." It refers specifically to water that has been boiled and is commonly used for drinking, making tea, or preparing instant foods. Unlike plain water, 开水 implies the water is safe and hot.
Common Contexts
开水 is often used in daily life when requesting hot water for tea or medicine. It is also common in hospitals or public places where boiled water is provided for health reasons.
Collocations and Patterns
- "喝开水" (drink boiled water): emphasizes drinking safe, hot water.
- "一杯开水" (a cup of boiled water): a common way to request or offer boiled water.
- "烧开水" (to boil water): the action of heating water until boiling.
Usage Tips
When you say 开水, you imply the water is freshly boiled and safe to drink, which is important in many Chinese-speaking regions. Avoid confusing 开水 with "热水" (hot water), which may not necessarily be boiled. 开水 is more specific and often preferred in formal or health-related contexts.