Japanese word

冷淡

Pronunciation

Romajireitan

Meaning

  • na-adjectivecold

Example

彼の態度は冷淡です。kare no tai do wa rei tan de su

His attitude is cold.

Illustration for 冷淡 (cold)

More examples

彼女は相談に来た友人に冷淡に接しました。kano jo wa sō dan ni ki ta yū jin ni rei tan ni ses shi ma shi ta

She was cold toward a friend who came to her for advice.

Core concept

Describes a manner that shows little human warmth, concern, or emotional response.

Common phrases

  • 冷淡に接するrei tan ni ses su ru

    treat ___ coldly

  • 冷淡な返事rei tan na hen ji

    a cold reply

  • 冷淡な態度rei tan na tai do

    a cold attitude

Similar words

冷ややかhiyayaka: Describes a distant manner that shows little warmth or sympathy.
無関心mukanshin: Describes a lack of interest or concern toward people or matters.
無愛想muaiso: Describes an unfriendly manner that lacks warmth in speech or behavior.

Definition in Japanese

人や物事に対する関心や思いやりを示さず、よそよそしいさま。hito ya mono goto ni tai su ru kan shin ya omo i ya ri o shime sa zu yo so yo so shi i sa ma

Word origin

冷淡 (reitan) is a Sino-Japanese word combining 冷 (rei, "cold") and 淡 (tan, "thin"), expressing a lack of warmth in a person's manner.

Usage tips

  • In Japanese, 冷淡 (reitan) usually describes a person's attitude or response, so its coldness is emotional rather than a reference to temperature.

Other meanings

  • indifferentna-adjective
  • apatheticna-adjective

Opposites

Related words

  • 冷淡さreitansacoldnessnoun

Word lists with this word