Japanese word

冷える

Pronunciation

Romajihieru

Meaning

  • verbget cold

Example

手が冷えます。te ga hi e ma su

My hands get cold.

Illustration for 冷える (get cold)

More examples

冷たい風に当たると、体が冷えます。tsume ta i kaze ni a ta ru to karada ga hi e ma su

When I am exposed to a cold wind, my body gets cold.

Core concept

Describes a person or thing losing warmth and becoming cold without naming an outside cause.

Common phrases

  • 手が冷えるte ga hi e ru

    hands get cold

  • 体が冷えるkarada ga hi e ru

    body gets cold

  • 足が冷えるashi ga hi e ru

    feet get cold

Similar words

冷めるsameru: To become less hot as warmth gradually leaves, often after heating stops.
冷え込むhiekomu: To become much colder, especially when describing air, weather, or a room.

Definition in Japanese

体や物の温度が下がり、冷たくなる。karada ya mono no on do ga sa ga ri tsume ta ku na ru

Word origin

冷える (hieru) is a native Japanese verb that developed from the older form 冷ゆ (hiyu), meaning "to become cold".

Usage tips

  • The contrast between 冷える (hieru) and 冷やす (hiyasu) shows that the first describes coldness developing in the subject, while the second names an action that makes something cold.

Other meanings

  • cool downverb
  • get chillyverb

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word