泉水 literally means 'spring water' — water that naturally emerges from underground sources, often in mountains or forests. The character 泉 (quán) means 'spring' or 'fountain', evoking a source or origin, while 水 (shuǐ) means 'water'. Together, they refer specifically to fresh, unpolluted water flowing directly from the earth, not tap, bottled, or river water. This word carries positive connotations of purity, freshness, and natural vitality.

泉水 is commonly used in geographical descriptions, travel writing, environmental discussions, and traditional Chinese medicine contexts where its perceived health benefits are emphasized. It appears in place names (e.g., 济南有‘泉城’之称 — Jinan is called 'City of Springs'), poetry, and product labels (e.g., spring water bottles). Unlike generic terms like 水, 泉水 always implies a natural, flowing origin — it’s never used for stagnant or artificial water sources.