Japanese word

寒い

Pronunciation

Romajisamui

Meaning

  • i-adjectivecold

Example

この部屋は寒いです。ko no heya wa samu i de su

This room is cold.

Illustration for 寒い (cold)

More examples

今日は寒いです。kyō wa samu i de su

It is cold today.

窓を開けると、部屋が寒くなります。mado o a ke ru to heya ga samu ku na ri ma su

When I open the window, the room gets cold.

Core concept

Describes low temperature as a condition felt by the body or present in the surrounding air, rather than merely a cold object.

Common phrases

  • とても寒いto te mo samu i

    very cold

  • 少し寒いsuko shi samu i

    a little cold

  • 寒い朝samu i asa

    a cold morning

Similar words

冷たいtsumetai: Describes something with a low temperature that feels cold when touched.
涼しいsuzushii: Describes air or weather that feels comfortably cool rather than warm.

Definition in Japanese

気温や周囲の温度が低く、身体に冷たさを感じるさま。ki on ya shū i no on do ga hiku ku shin tai ni tsume ta sa o kan ji ru sa ma

Word origin

寒い (samui) is a native Japanese adjective that developed from the classical form 寒し (samushi, "cold") as the modern i-adjective ending replaced the older ending.

Usage tips

  • For beginners, 寒い (samui) describes cold weather or surroundings, while 冷たい (tsumetai) usually describes a cold object, drink, or surface.

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word