'used' water (I do not know how to explain this)

English as a Second Language English Vocabulary, Grammar and Idioms
1

Hi

I really do not know how to explain this to you but…

In Pakistan and India if a full glass of mineral water (or any thing else) has been sipped at by someone, it becomes “Jhoota” – means impure. Same is the case with food items. Now when it comes to translating the case in English it becomes difficult. I would agree with you that the following translations sound ugly … but, could you help me improve them?

1- She would rather die of thirst than drink “used” water.
2- She would rather die of thirst than drink “already-drunk”
water.

Or any thing else?

Tom

2

.
Well. you could use ‘tainted water’, but you would still have to explain the taboo of ‘jhoota’ for those who are not familiar with it. ‘Tainted’ normally conjures up the idea of ‘chemically/biologically contaminated’ for Westerners.

Or perhaps ‘spiritually-tainted water’ might be sufficient explanation.
.

3

Apparently, the term polluted is also used – though I prefer the one given by Mister Micawber (tainted).

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