You're right to question the wording, as it can be a bit confusing! Let's clarify the definition of osmosis. Osmosis is the net movement of water molecules across a semi-permeable membrane. Water moves from: 1. A region of higher water concentration (or lower solute concentration) 2. To a region of lower water concentration (or higher solute concentration) So, if we talk about water concentration, water moves from higher to lower. If we talk about solute concentration, water moves from lower to higher. In the original problem: Solution Y is more concentrated than solution X. This means Y has a higher solute concentration and therefore a lower water concentration* compared to X. Solution X has a lower solute concentration and therefore a higher water concentration* compared to Y. Therefore, water moves from solution X (higher water concentration / lower solute concentration) into solution Y (lower water concentration / higher solute concentration). My previous explanation stated: "water will move from the region of higher water concentration (solution X) to the region of lower water concentration (solution Y)". This is correct. Your statement "water molecules move from lower to higher" is correct if you are referring to solute concentration (i.e., from lower solute concentration to higher solute concentration). However, if you are referring to water concentration, then water moves from higher water concentration to lower water concentration. Both ways of describing the movement are correct, as long as you specify whether you're talking about the concentration of water or the concentration of the solute.