一、表示江河湖海等的“水域”“水体”时,习惯上要用复数.如:
They will cross the waters tomorrow.他们明天要渡海.
The waters of the lake flow out over a large waterfall.这个湖的水流出后形成一个大瀑布.
This is where the waters of Amazon flow out into the sea.这就是亚马孙河入海的地方.
二、表示某国的“近海”“海域”“领海”时,习惯上要用复数.如:
British territorial waters 英国的海域
British waters were a “military area”.英国领海是“军事区”.
The number of fish in coastal waters has decreased.沿海鱼的数量已减少了.
The ship successfully underwent sea trials in coastal waters.那条船在近海水域试航成功.
三、表示“矿泉水”“泉水”“喷泉水花”时,习惯上要用复数.如:
We drink table waters.我们喝瓶装矿泉水.
A great poem is a fountain forever overflowing with the waters of wisdom and delight.一首伟大的诗篇犹如一座喷泉,永远喷出智慧和欢乐的水花.
注:take [drink] the waters 为习语,指喝矿泉水治疗或到矿泉胜地疗养.如:
He went abroad to drink the waters 他出国去进行矿泉治疗.
He is taking [drinking] the waters at Bath.他在巴斯进行矿泉治疗.
四、表示“洪水”等大量的水时,习惯上要用复数.如:
The flood waters are going down.洪水渐退.
The dam was not strong enough to hold back the flood waters.水坝不太坚固,挡不住洪水.
五、表示几条不同河流或海域的水,习惯上要用复数.如:
The waters of the two rivers mingled (together) to form one river.两条河汇合成一条.
六、在某些固定表达中,习惯上用复数.如:
in smooth water(s) 进展顺利,一帆风顺
pour oil on troubled waters平息风波,作和事佬,调停争端
fish in muddy waters 趁火打劫,混水摸鱼
fish in troubled waters 混水摸鱼
water quality 水质
water supply 供水系统;水源
water treatment 水处理;水的处理
waste water 污水,废水
drinking water 饮用水
hot water 热水;困境
water pollution 水污染
water resource 水资源
water content 含水量