Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "Cold" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "cold", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
寒い
さむい (samui)
N5 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Option B
冷たい
つめたい (tsumetai)
N4 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "cold" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between 寒い and 冷たい.
In Japanese, 寒い (さむい (samui)) is typically associated with "cold (weather, air temperature)" (Syllabus Level: N5) and represents An i-adjective used to describe the air temperature or weather as cold. Not used for objects..
On the other hand, 冷たい (つめたい (tsumetai)) maps to "cold (to the touch)" (Syllabus Level: N4) and represents Describes something that is cold to the touch. A literal translation of "cold" can often sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers if mixed up!
Bilingual Context for "寒い"
今日はとても寒いですね。
It's very cold today, isn't it?
Bilingual Context for "冷たい"
冷たい水をください。
Please give me some cold water.
Nuance Mastery Quiz
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "今日はとても ＿＿＿ ですね。" (Meaning: "It's very cold today, isn't it?")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "寒い" fits here because it means "cold (weather, air temperature)" in the context of: "It's very cold today, isn't it?". "冷たい" represents "cold (to the touch)".