Japanese word

冷凍

Pronunciation

Romajireitō

Meaning

  • nounfreezing

Example

魚を冷凍します。sakana o rei tō shi ma su

I freeze fish.

Illustration for 冷凍 (freezing)

More examples

私は忙しい日に冷凍食品をよく買います。watashi wa isoga shi i hi ni rei tō shoku hin o yo ku ka i ma su

I often buy frozen food on busy days.

Core concept

Refers to preserving food by making it freeze, so it can be stored for a longer period.

Common phrases

  • 冷凍庫rei tō ko

    freezer

  • 冷凍食品rei tō shoku hin

    frozen food

  • 冷凍野菜rei tō ya sai

    frozen vegetables

  • 冷凍保存rei tō ho zon

    frozen storage

Similar words

冷蔵reizō: The storage of food in a chilled state without freezing it.

Definition in Japanese

食品などを凍らせて腐敗を防ぎ、保存すること。shoku hin na do o kō ra se te fu hai o fuse gi ho zon su ru ko to

Word origin

The compound 冷凍 (reitō) joins 冷 (rei, "cold") with 凍 (tō, "freeze") to express freezing through cold.

Usage tips

  • On Japanese food packages, 冷凍 (reitō) marks food kept frozen, while 冷蔵 (reizō) marks food kept chilled rather than frozen.

Other meanings

  • frozen storagenoun

Opposites

  • 解凍kaitōthawingnoun

Related words

  • 冷凍するreitōsurufreezeverb

Word lists with this word