Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "Cool" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "cool", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
冷やす
ひやす (hiyasu)
N4 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Option B
冷める
さめる (sameru)
N4 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "cool" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between 冷やす and 冷める.
In Japanese, 冷やす (ひやす (hiyasu)) is typically associated with "to cool, to chill (transitive)" (Syllabus Level: N4) and represents A transitive verb meaning to make something cold. The intransitive equivalent is 冷える.
On the other hand, 冷める (さめる (sameru)) maps to "to cool down, to get cold (food, drinks, enthusiasm, feelings)" (Syllabus Level: N4) and represents Used for something that was warm becoming cool, or for feelings/enthusiasm diminishing.. A literal translation of "cool" can often sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers if mixed up!
Bilingual Context for "冷やす"
ビールを冷蔵庫で冷やしてください。
Please chill the beer in the refrigerator.
Bilingual Context for "冷める"
コーヒーが冷めてしまった。
The coffee has gotten cold.
Nuance Mastery Quiz
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "ビールを冷蔵庫で冷やしてください。" (Meaning: "Please chill the beer in the refrigerator.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "冷やす" fits here because it means "to cool, to chill (transitive)" in the context of: "Please chill the beer in the refrigerator.". "冷める" represents "to cool down, to get cold (food, drinks, enthusiasm, feelings)".