‘Shuǐ bà’ (水坝) literally means ‘water dam’ — combining 水 (shuǐ), meaning ‘water’, and 坝 (bà), meaning ‘embankment’ or ‘barrier’. It refers specifically to a large, engineered structure built across a river or valley to control water flow, generate hydroelectric power, prevent flooding, or store water for irrigation and drinking. Unlike natural barriers like rocks or fallen trees, a 水坝 is always human-made and typically constructed from concrete, earth, or rockfill.

This term is used in formal, technical, and everyday contexts — for example, when discussing infrastructure, environmental policy, or geography. It’s neutral in register and appears frequently in news reports, textbooks, and government documents. While 坝 alone can refer to various types of barriers (e.g., flood-control dams or tailings dams), 水坝 emphasizes the water-related function and is the standard, unambiguous term for ‘dam’ in civil engineering and general usage.