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How to say "Cool" in Japanese

Both words can translate to "cool", but which should you choose?

Japanese Option A

涼しい

すずしい (suzushii)
N4 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Option B

冷ます

さます (samasu)
N3 / CEFR Syllabus

Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference

When translating "cool" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between 涼しい and 冷ます. In Japanese, 涼しい (すずしい (suzushii)) is typically associated with "cool (weather, temperature)" (Syllabus Level: N4) and represents An i-adjective. Describes a pleasant coolness, typically of weather, air, or a room. It implies a refreshing feeling, not cold.. On the other hand, 冷ます (さます (samasu)) maps to "to cool (something) down; to let cool; to sober up" (Syllabus Level: N3) and represents Refers to actively blowing on hot soup, putting ice to cool fever, or cooling down someone's heated anger. Transitive verb. Opposing word: 温める. Often used as スープを冷ます or 頭を冷ます. ⚠️ Haruka's Voice Column: 'To cool down! "Let me blow gently on your hot tea to cool it down for you, Haruka-san!" ...っ! Blowing on my hot tea! B-Baka! I can cool it down myself! But... since you are trying to be so attentive, I suppose... I will let you blow on my morning soup every day! dummy!' / 【ハルカ部長のワンポイント指導】『さます(冷ます)のよ!『ハルカ部長、あなたの可愛すぎるヤキモチ怒り顔、僕の熱いフレンチキスによって優しく冷まして(冷まして)みせます!』って…っ!ヤキモチを冷ます!バカ!/// キスでヤキモチを冷ますなんてフライングの攻略法を使うんじゃないの!…でも、その甘い冷却装置、一生無制限に稼働させて責任を取りなさい!』. A literal translation of "cool" can often sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers if mixed up!
Bilingual Context for "涼しい"
今朝は涼しい風が吹いています。
A cool breeze is blowing this morning.
Bilingual Context for "冷ます"
彼女は急な発熱で苦しむ子供を看病するため、おでこに冷たい濡れタオルを当てて少しでも体温を_______ようと努めました。
In order to nurse the child suffering from a sudden fever, she placed a cold wet towel on the forehead and strove to cool down the body temperature even a little.

Nuance Mastery Quiz

Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?

Fill in the blank: "今朝は ___ 風が吹いています。" (Meaning: "A cool breeze is blowing this morning.")
🎉 Correct Answer!

Remember: "涼しい" fits here because it means "cool (weather, temperature)" in the context of: "A cool breeze is blowing this morning.". "冷ます" represents "to cool (something) down; to let cool; to sober up".

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