Japanese word

冷たい

Pronunciation

Romajitsumetai

Meaning

  • i-adjectivecold

Example

この水は冷たいです。ko no mizu wa tsume ta i de su

This water is cold.

Illustration for 冷たい (cold)

More examples

冷たい風が吹くので、窓を閉めます。tsume ta i kaze ga fu ku no de mado o shi me ma su

A cold wind is blowing, so I close the window.

Core concept

冷たい (tsumetai, "cold") describes a low temperature that is directly felt by the body, especially through touch or in the mouth.

Common phrases

  • 冷たい風tsume ta i kaze

    cold wind

  • 冷たい飲み物tsume ta i no mi mono

    cold drink

  • 冷たい手tsume ta i te

    cold hands

Similar words

寒いsamui: Describing weather with a low temperature or the physical feeling caused by it.

Definition in Japanese

温度が低く、触れたり口にしたりしたときに冷えを感じるさま。on do ga hiku ku fu re ta ri kuchi ni shi ta ri shi ta to ki ni hi e o kan ji ru sa ma

Word origin

冷たい (tsumetai, "cold") is a native Japanese adjective that developed from the older form つめたし (tsumetashi, "cold") through historical sound change.

Usage tips

  • 冷たい (tsumetai, "cold to the touch") usually describes a cold object, liquid, or food, while 寒い (samui, "cold weather or feeling cold") usually describes cold weather or bodily cold.

Other meanings

  • chillyi-adjective
  • freezingi-adjective
  • icyi-adjective

Opposites

Related words

  • 冷たさtsumetasacoldnessnoun

Word lists with this word