在英国生活期间,饮用水的购买和选择对于日常健康与生活便利具有基础性意义。英国超市所售水种类繁多,标签标识形式多样,容易引发初到者的混淆与误判。本文将对英国超市常见水类产品进行系统性分类、英文标签术语辨析及实际用途分析,尤其对其与中国市场习惯之间的认知差异予以重点说明。
英国超市常见饮用水主要分为以下五类:(一)无气矿泉水(Still Water),(二)含气矿泉水(Sparkling Water),(三)风味含气水(Flavoured Sparkling Water),(四)蒸馏水或去离子水(Distilled/Deionised Water),以及(五)用于调酒的碳酸饮品(如Tonic Water、Soda Water、Seltzer)。上述各类产品在外观、价格、陈列位置方面可能相似,但其化学成分、饮用方式和功能用途存在显著差异。不了解这些差异,可能导致错误使用或不适口感的体验,甚至影响健康或设备安全。
首先,无气矿泉水(Still Water)是最接近中国消费者认知中“矿泉水”的品类。英文标注多为“Still Natural Mineral Water”或“Still Spring Water”,其特点在于不含气体成分,水源常标明为天然矿泉或泉水,未经碳酸化处理。此类水质纯净,适合直接饮用,也可用于烧水、煮饭、冲泡茶叶及咖啡,广泛被家庭和学生日常采纳。价格根据品牌及水源地不同略有波动,常见品牌如Evian、Highland Spring及Buxton等。
其次,含气矿泉水(Sparkling Water)常被中国消费者误认为“有味道的汽水”或“苏打水”。该类产品瓶身通常标示为“Sparkling Mineral Water”或“Carbonated Spring Water”,其核心特征为经二氧化碳处理,瓶中溶有气体,开瓶后会迅速释放气泡,饮用时舌尖有明显刺激感。英国本地消费者普遍将其视为餐前餐后饮品或清爽替代品,而非日常饮水选择。值得注意的是,部分品牌的含气水因天然矿物质较多(如钠含量偏高),在口感上呈现轻微咸味,初次尝试者可能不适应。该类水不适宜用于电热水壶、咖啡机或泡茶等热饮冲泡操作。
第三,风味含气水(Flavoured Sparkling Water)在英国超市中数量繁多,尤以大型连锁如Tesco、Sainsbury’s、Morrisons自有品牌为代表。其标签通常包括“Flavoured Sparkling Water”或“Sparkling Water with Natural Flavourings”,味型涵盖柠檬、青柠、覆盆子等。该类产品多含人工甜味剂或天然代糖,如aspartame或stevia,虽不含糖分但可能干扰血糖感知,部分人群长期饮用可能产生不适。风味水虽价格低廉,常作为健身人士低热量饮料选择,但并不等同于无添加的健康饮水,且不推荐作为儿童、孕妇及特殊健康状况人群的长期饮用水来源。
第四类为蒸馏水或去离子水(Distilled Water / Deionised Water),在英国常用于非饮用用途,其包装上明确标示“Not for human consumption”或“Do not drink”。该类水产品经过高温蒸馏或电离子过滤,去除所有溶解矿物质及微生物,常用于熨斗、加湿器、电池液补充及实验室设备清洁等。若误将此类产品用于日常饮用,可能因长期缺乏人体所需微量矿物质(如钙、镁)而对健康造成负面影响,尤其不可用于婴儿奶粉冲调或日常烹饪。
最后,碳酸调酒用水如Tonic Water、Soda Water与Seltzer等,应与上述饮用水产品严格区分。Tonic Water含奎宁(quinine),口感微苦,常作为金汤力鸡尾酒的基础成分;Soda Water虽不含糖,但多作为调制饮品的基底;而Seltzer则为北美地区常见命名方式,在英国不为主流标签。此类产品普遍归入软饮料(Soft Drinks)分类,不适合作为日常饮水使用,且部分品种含糖量高,不宜频繁饮用。
综上所述,英国超市饮用水品类之丰富,既体现其市场多样性,也对消费者识别能力提出较高要求。建议初到英国者在购买时认真阅读产品标签,注意辨别“Still”“Sparkling”“Flavoured”“Distilled”等关键词,并根据实际用途(如直接饮用、加热烹饪、设备加水)做出合适选择。此外,考虑到环保与经济因素,自带瓶装水容器并使用英国安全可饮用的自来水也是日常生活中值得推广的实践方式。
如需更详细的品牌水质分析、英国水处理标准解读或针对特定用途(如婴儿用水、咖啡冲泡)的水源选择建议,可进一步参阅英国饮用水质量监管局(Drinking Water Inspectorate)或相关生活实务指南。
英国超市饮用水购买指南:详细汉英对照版
A Detailed Bilingual Guide to Buying Drinking Water in UK Supermarkets
在英国的日常生活中,饮用水的购买是一项基础却常被忽视的事项。英国超市中瓶装水的种类繁多,不同类型的水在包装、英文标识、用途上存在显著差异。对来自其他文化背景,尤其是来自饮水习惯单一国家的留学生而言,准确区分各种水的类型十分必要。以下内容将对英国超市常见饮用水类型进行系统分类,以汉英对照方式说明其英文标签、基本特点及实际用途。
In daily life in the UK, purchasing bottled water is a basic but often overlooked task. Supermarkets in the UK offer a wide variety of water types, which differ significantly in packaging, English labelling, and intended usage. For international students, especially those from countries with relatively uniform drinking water habits, it is important to distinguish between these categories. The following bilingual explanation provides a systematic classification of common types of bottled water in UK supermarkets, including label terms, characteristics, and suggested usage.
一、英国超市中水的分类
1. 静水(Still Water)
静水是指不含二氧化碳的饮用水,是英国超市中最常见、最适合日常饮用的水类型。其英文标签通常为 “Still Water”、“Still Spring Water” 或 “Still Natural Mineral Water”。这类水源可能来自天然泉水或矿泉水,未经过碳酸处理,口感温和、接近国内瓶装水的标准。适合直接饮用,也可用于烧水、泡茶、煮饭等厨房用途。
Still water refers to non-carbonated drinking water, and it is the most commonly available type in UK supermarkets, ideal for daily hydration. Labels typically include “Still Water,” “Still Spring Water,” or “Still Natural Mineral Water.” The source may be natural spring or mineral water, and the water has not been carbonated. It has a neutral taste and is suitable for drinking directly, boiling, tea-making, and general cooking.
2. 气泡水(Sparkling Water)
气泡水即含二氧化碳的水,开瓶后会产生明显的气泡感。这类水常见英文标签为 “Sparkling Water”、“Sparkling Mineral Water” 或 “Carbonated Water”。它可能是天然矿泉水,也可能是普通水经过人工加气。英国人通常将其作为佐餐饮品,而非日常饮水。对不习惯的人来说,可能口感偏刺激或带轻微金属味。气泡水不宜用于电热水壶或茶饮冲泡,因为碳酸加热后会影响口感并损害设备。
Sparkling water contains dissolved carbon dioxide and produces noticeable fizz when opened. It is commonly labelled as “Sparkling Water,” “Sparkling Mineral Water,” or “Carbonated Water.” The water may be naturally sparkling or artificially carbonated. In the UK, it is often consumed with meals rather than as a hydration source. Some individuals may find its taste sharp or metallic. It is not recommended for use in electric kettles or for brewing tea, as carbonation may affect taste and damage appliances.
3. 风味气泡水(Flavoured Sparkling Water)
风味气泡水是在气泡水基础上添加天然或人工香料,有些还含有代糖。标签上常见 “Lemon Flavoured Sparkling Water”、“Raspberry Flavour with Sweeteners” 或 “Sparkling Water with Natural Flavourings” 等字样。这类水口感类似于淡味汽水,不含或低含糖分,是一些英国人控制体重时的替代饮料。但应注意,它不是纯净水,不适合大量或长期作为日常饮用水使用,尤其不建议儿童、孕妇或糖尿病患者频繁饮用。
Flavoured sparkling water is a carbonated water product infused with natural or artificial flavours, and some variants may contain sweeteners. Typical labels include “Lemon Flavoured Sparkling Water,” “Raspberry Flavour with Sweeteners,” or “Sparkling Water with Natural Flavourings.” It tastes like a lightly flavoured soft drink, usually with no or low sugar content. While often consumed as a diet-friendly alternative, it is not equivalent to pure water and should not be used as a main hydration source. It is especially unsuitable for frequent consumption by children, pregnant individuals, or people with diabetes.
4. 蒸馏水与去离子水(Distilled Water / Deionised Water)
蒸馏水和去离子水属于工业或家用设备专用水,标签上通常会标示 “Not for Human Consumption”、“Do Not Drink” 或 “For Appliance Use Only”。这类水经过化学或物理处理,去除了矿物质、离子和杂质,因此水质非常“纯”,但不适合人体饮用。其主要用途包括:熨斗加水、防止水垢的加湿器水箱、汽车电瓶补液、实验室清洁等。绝不可将其误作为饮用水使用,长期饮用此类水可能造成微量元素摄入不足。
Distilled water and deionised water are intended for industrial or appliance use. Labels often state “Not for Human Consumption,” “Do Not Drink,” or “For Appliance Use Only.” These waters have been treated to remove minerals, ions, and impurities, making them chemically pure but biologically inappropriate for drinking. Their primary uses include filling steam irons, preventing limescale in humidifiers, topping up car batteries, and cleaning lab equipment. They should never be used for drinking or cooking, as they lack essential trace minerals.
5. 调酒碳酸水 / 饮料型水(Tonic Water / Soda Water / Seltzer)
这一类水虽带有 “Water” 字样,但并非真正意义上的饮用水,而是属于饮料类别,常用于调制鸡尾酒或作为佐餐饮品。Tonic Water 含有奎宁(quinine),味道带苦;Soda Water 是不含糖的碳酸水;Seltzer 是美式术语,类似 Soda Water。它们常含添加剂、糖分或甜味剂,应归入软饮料范畴,不适合作为日常饮水来源。
Tonic water, soda water, and seltzer are not standard drinking waters despite containing the term “water.” They are carbonated beverages used in cocktails or consumed with meals. Tonic water contains quinine and has a bitter taste. Soda water is plain carbonated water without sugar. Seltzer is a North American term equivalent to soda water. These drinks often contain additives or sweeteners and are considered soft drinks rather than hydration sources.
二、中英相关水文化对比
Cultural Comparison: Water Consumption Habits in the UK and China
文化对比:中英两国的饮用水消费习惯
英国与中国在饮用水的消费文化方面存在显著差异,主要体现在饮水方式、水源信任度以及包装水消费比例等方面。
In terms of water consumption, the UK and China exhibit significant cultural differences, particularly in how people drink water, their trust in water sources, and their reliance on bottled water.
首先,中国居民普遍习惯于喝热水或温水,烧水器、保温杯是生活常态。而英国人更倾向于饮用冷水或室温水。甚至在冬天,英国超市、餐厅及公共饮水点提供的也大多是冷水。
Firstly, Chinese people generally prefer drinking hot or warm water. Kettles and insulated bottles are staples in Chinese households. In contrast, UK residents are accustomed to drinking cold or room-temperature water, and even during winter, supermarkets, restaurants, and public taps usually provide cold water only.
其次,中国部分地区对自来水安全性缺乏信任,家庭往往会配备净水器、过滤壶或反渗透设备,瓶装水也被广泛用于烹饪和日常饮用。而在英国,自来水可直接饮用且水质标准严格,很多家庭和学生完全依赖水龙头水,瓶装水反而是可选消费品。
Secondly, many regions in China lack trust in the safety of tap water, prompting households to install water purifiers or filters. Bottled water is also widely used for both drinking and cooking. In the UK, however, tap water is strictly regulated and safe to drink. Most residents, including students, rely entirely on tap water, and bottled water is considered optional or for travel.
此外,中国消费者在选择水产品时更关注品牌与水源地(如长白山、昆仑山),而英国消费者则更看重水的口感(硬度、气泡感)与用途(如佐餐、调酒)。这也导致英国超市中气泡水、有味水和调酒水比重较大,种类更丰富。
In addition, Chinese consumers often focus on brand reputation and water source (e.g., Changbai Mountain, Kunlun Mountains), whereas British consumers care more about taste (such as mineral content or fizz) and specific purposes (such as pairing with meals or alcohol). As a result, UK supermarkets carry a wider variety of sparkling and flavoured waters than those in China.
附录1:常用饮用水相关英文术语(汉英对照)
静水:Still Water – 无气的饮用水
气泡水:Sparkling Water – 含气的矿泉水或泉水
天然矿泉水:Natural Mineral Water – 来源于天然含矿水源
泉水:Spring Water – 地下泉眼采集而成的饮用水
风味气泡水:Flavoured Sparkling Water – 加香气泡饮料
净化水:Purified Water – 物理或反渗透过滤的饮用水
蒸馏水:Distilled Water – 蒸馏处理后仅用于设备,不供饮用
去离子水:Deionised Water – 实验或电器专用水,不可饮用
奎宁水:Tonic Water – 苦味调酒饮料
苏打水:Soda Water – 无糖碳酸饮料,常用于混酒
含气:Carbonated – 表示含二氧化碳
不含气:Still – 表示无碳酸成分
请勿饮用:Do not drink / Not for human consumption – 非饮用水警示标签
附录2、生活英语课词汇卡片(Vocabulary Flashcards)
你可以将以下卡片用于课堂教学或自学工具,每张卡片建议正面写英文+音标+图示,背面写中文释义+例句。
Still Water /stɪl ˈwɔːtə/
中文:静水、无气水
例句:I prefer still water with my meals.(我吃饭时喜欢喝无气水。)
Sparkling Water /ˈspɑːklɪŋ ˈwɔːtə/
中文:气泡水
例句:Some people like the fizz in sparkling water.(有些人喜欢气泡水的刺激感。)
Flavoured Water /ˈfleɪvəd ˈwɔːtə/
中文:风味水
例句:Flavoured sparkling water often contains sweeteners.(风味气泡水通常含有甜味剂。)
Distilled Water /dɪˈstɪld ˈwɔːtə/
中文:蒸馏水
例句:Distilled water is not meant for drinking.(蒸馏水不适合饮用。)
Tonic Water /ˈtɒnɪk ˈwɔːtə/
中文:奎宁水
例句:Tonic water is commonly used in cocktails.(奎宁水常用于调制鸡尾酒。)
Carbonated /ˈkɑːbəneɪtɪd/
中文:含气的
例句:This is a carbonated beverage, not regular water.(这是含气饮料,不是普通水。)
Do not drink
中文:请勿饮用
例句:The label says "Do not drink"—its for ironing.(标签写着“请勿饮用”,这是给熨斗用的。)
附录3、生活英语课堂实用场景对话(Practical Dialogues)
以下为在超市或住宿环境中可能发生的真实对话,适合课堂练习。
场景一:在超市挑选水
Scenario: Choosing water at a supermarket
A: Excuse me, can you help me? Im looking for plain drinking water.
对不起,能帮我一下吗?我想买普通的饮用水。
B: Sure. Do you mean still water or sparkling?
当然。你是要无气水还是气泡水?
A: Still water, please. I dont like fizzy drinks.
无气的,谢谢。我不喜欢有气的饮料。
B: Then this “Still Spring Water” is perfect.
那这瓶“Still Spring Water”就很适合你。
A: Great. Is it okay for making tea?
很好。这个适合泡茶吗?
B: Yes, it’s fine.
是的,很适合。
场景二:使用住宿设备中的水
Scenario: Discussing water use in student accommodation
A: Is it safe to drink water from the tap here?
这里的自来水可以直接喝吗?
B: Yes, tap water in the UK is drinkable and regularly tested.
可以,英国的自来水可以直接饮用,定期检测。
A: What about cooking? Should I use bottled water?
那做饭呢?要用瓶装水吗?
B: No need. Tap water is fine for both drinking and cooking.
不需要,自来水完全可以用于饮用和做饭。
A: I saw a bottle of “distilled water” in the kitchen. Is that for tea?
我在厨房看到一瓶“distilled water”,那个是泡茶用的吗?
B: No, it’s for the iron. Don’t drink it.
不是,那是给熨斗用的,不能喝。