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100% GOOD (5 votes)AnsweredLanguage Question
is the"still water "the same meaning as "pure water"?

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genzaimu profile picture genzaimuFebruary 2014
"Still water" is just water in general, whether found in tap, lakes, or anywhere else not treated. "Pure water" is also known as purified water, which is also know as "distilled water". "Pure water" goes through a process of "purification". In conclusion, those two phrases you asked about are different.
  • Acasualdream profile picture AcasualdreamFebruary 2014
    Still Water refers to water that does not have a natural current, a lake without an undertow or current would be considered Still Water. Because of the build up of bacteria Still or Standing water is considered dangerous for human consumption. Pure water is a term for clean water (as stated above, normally purified or filtered)
AussieInBg profile picture AussieInBgFebruary 2021

There are two meanings of ”still water” - the first is that the water is not in motion. This was described in several answers and is most likely not what the questioner was asking about. The second possibility is ”still water” referring to a type of mineral water.

Given that the question is also referring to ”pure”, then almost certainly the question is talking about ”’still’ mineral water” verses ”’pure’ mineral water”. ”still mineral water” refers to mineral water that is not carbonated and has no bubbles. If you don’t want bubbles in your glass of water, ask for ”still mineral water”.

Now, why the word ”pure”? Just about every seller of mineral water describes their water with the adjective ”pure” - somehow conveying that the water is ”natural”. This is highly ironic (and even ionic wink.gif given that mineral water is not pure water smile.gif All mineral water is ”contaminated” with ions such as sodium, chlorine, magnesium and calcium.

The mineral water with the bubbles is carbonated mineral water. Often it is referred to as ”sparkling mineral water”, again more advertising blahblahblah.

"Still" by itself doesn't sound so exciting when trying to sell a litre of water that might have cost 1c to pump out of a well at a price of $3 or $4 per bottle. So "pure" gets used as a descriptor. From what I've seen, "pure" is mainly for still mineral waters. "Sparkling" already tries, from the advertiser's perspective, to communicate that the carbonated water is at the same level as wines with bubbles - sparkling wines - such as champagne (thereby justifying charging so much for it!!!).

behradsfi profile picture behradsfiDecember 2018
Still water is that water doesnt have move but pur water means clear and still water