Quintuple VS
Synonym Boundary: "さむい", "つめたい", "風邪", "冷たい", "冷淡"
All represent the core concept "cold", but require precise selection.
Japanese Option A
さむい
さむい (samui)
N5 / CEFR
Japanese Option B
つめたい
つめたい (tsumetai)
N5 / CEFR
Japanese Option C
風邪
かぜ (kaze)
N4 / CEFR
Japanese Option D
冷たい
つめたい (tsumetai)
N4 / CEFR
Japanese Option E
冷淡
れいたん (reitan)
N3 / CEFR
Quintuple VS Nuance Contrast & Social Differences
When expressing "cold" in Japanese, you must carefully distinguish between "さむい", "つめたい", "風邪", "冷たい", "冷淡" based on context.
- さむい (さむい (samui) - Level: N5): Maps to "cold (temperature, weather)" and is used when An い-adjective used to describe cold weather or air. Cannot be used for cold objects.
- つめたい (つめたい (tsumetai) - Level: N5): Maps to "cold (to the touch, objects, drinks)" and is used when An い-adjective used for cold objects, drinks, or touch. Cannot be used for cold weather.
- 風邪 (かぜ (kaze) - Level: N4): Maps to "cold (illness)" and is used when Commonly used to refer to a common cold. Often used with ひく.
- 冷たい (つめたい (tsumetai) - Level: N4): Maps to "cold (to the touch)" and is used when Describes something that is cold to the touch.
- 冷淡 (れいたん (reitan) - Level: N3): Maps to "cold; indifferent; detached; chilly attitude" and is used when Refers to a cold, indifferent, detached, or chilly attitude toward others. Often used as 冷淡な.
Context for "さむい"
今日はとても寒いです。
It's very cold today.
Context for "つめたい"
冷たい水が飲みたいです。
I want to drink cold water.
Context for "風邪"
風邪をひいて、学校を休みました。
I caught a cold and took a day off from school.
Context for "冷たい"
冷たい水をください。
Please give me some cold water.
Context for "冷淡"
彼女は困っている人に対してあまりにも_______な態度を取り、周囲を驚かせました。
She took such a cold attitude toward the person in trouble, surprising those around her.
Synonym Mastery Challenge
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "今日はとても寒いです。" (Meaning: "It's very cold today.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "さむい" is correct here because it represents "cold (temperature, weather)" in the context: "It's very cold today.".