noun HSK 2
water cup · drinking glass · tumbler
Meaning
水杯 refers to any cup or glass used for drinking water or other beverages. It's one of the most common everyday objects and appears frequently in basic conversational Chinese. The term encompasses various types of drinking vessels including glasses, mugs, and tumblers.
Usage
This is a neutral, everyday term used in all contexts from formal to casual. When ordering or asking for a cup, Chinese speakers commonly say "一个水杯" or "一杯水" (a cup of water). In restaurants or homes, it's the standard word for any drinking vessel.
Examples
- 01请给我一个干净的水杯。.Please give me a clean water cup.
- 02我的水杯忘在教室里了。.I forgot my water cup in the classroom.
Characters
Measure words
- 个一个水杯
- 只两只水杯
Common collocations
- 喝水杯drinking cup
- 塑料水杯plastic water cup
- 一次性水杯disposable cup
Origin
A straightforward compound combining 水 (water) and 杯 (cup/glass) to create 'water cup.' The word 杯 originally depicted a vessel made from wood, as seen in its radical 木.