Translation guide
The act of giving water to plants, animals, or land. In Japanese, the most common word is 水やり for plants, but different verbs and nouns are used depending on what is being watered and the method.
Expressing the act of giving water to plants, flowers, or gardens.
The most common and general noun for watering plants. Often used with する to mean 'to water'.
毎朝、花に水やりをする。
I water the flowers every morning.
水やりは夕方のほうがいい。
It's better to water plants in the evening.
A common verb phrase meaning 'to give water to plants'. Slightly more casual than 水やりをする.
植木に水をやるのを忘れた。
I forgot to water the potted plants.
A softer, more polite way to say 'to water plants'. Often used when speaking to children or about pets' plants.
お花に水をあげてね。
Please water the flowers.
A technical term for irrigation or watering, used in agriculture or gardening contexts.
灌水システムを導入した。
We installed an irrigation system.
Providing drinking water to animals or livestock.
Used for giving water to animals, similar to plants. The context makes it clear.
犬に水をやった。
I gave the dog some water.
A gentler expression, often used for pets.
猫に新鮮な水をあげてください。
Please give the cat fresh water.
Supplying water to fields, lawns, or large areas.
General term for sprinkling or watering a large area, such as a lawn or field.
庭に散水する。
I water the garden (with a sprinkler).
Specifically refers to irrigation for agriculture.
Literally 'to scatter water', used for watering gardens, roads to settle dust, or lawns.
打ち水 is a specific cultural practice of sprinkling water on the ground to cool the area and settle dust.
打ち水をする。
To sprinkle water (on the street to cool it down).
Describing salivation or desire for food.
Literally 'drool comes out', used for mouth-watering food.
そのケーキを見たらよだれが出た。
That cake made my mouth water.
Same as above but using the kanji for drool. More written style.
涎が出るほど美味しい。
It's so delicious it makes my mouth water.
水やり is a noun and often used with する. 水をやる is a verb phrase and slightly more direct. 水をあげる is softer and often used when the action is for someone else's benefit or when speaking to children.
飲ませる means 'to make/let drink' and is only used for people or animals. For plants, always use 水をやる or 水やりをする.
この地域では灌漑が重要だ。
Irrigation is important in this region.