Translation and Meaning of: 冷たい - tsumetai

The Japanese word 冷たい (つめたい, tsumetai) is a common adjective in everyday vocabulary, but it carries nuances that go beyond the simple translation of "cold." If you are learning Japanese or just curious about the language, understanding how and when to use 冷たい can enrich your cultural and linguistic comprehension. In this article, we will explore its meaning, practical uses, and even some curiosities that make this word more interesting than it seems.

In addition to describing low temperatures, 冷たい can also express emotional coldness or indifference, an aspect that reflects the expressive richness of Japanese. Here, you will discover how to differentiate these contexts, as well as tips for effectively memorizing the word. Suki Nihongo, the best online Japanese dictionary, offers real examples for you to practice in everyday situations.

Meaning and uses of 冷たい

冷たい is often translated as "cold," but its meaning depends on the context. When applied to objects or substances, it refers to the physical sensation of cold, such as in 冷たい水 (cold water). However, when describing people or behaviors, it takes on a more subjective tone, indicating emotional coldness or lack of human warmth. For example, 冷たい人 can mean someone distant or indifferent.

This duality is part of the expressiveness of Japanese, where the same word can encompass physical and emotional sensations. It is important to pay attention to the context to avoid misunderstandings. In everyday conversations, 冷たい appears frequently, whether to complain about the weather, describe a drink, or even comment on the behaviors of others.

Origin and writing of kanji

The kanji 冷 is composed of the radical 冫 (ice) and the component 令 (order, command), suggesting an idea of "controlling the cold." This combination well reflects the meaning of the word, as 冷たい is related to things that are cold to the touch or emotionally distant. The reading つめたい (tsumetai) is one of the most common for this kanji, but it can also be read as れい (rei) in compounds like 冷蔵庫 (refrigerator).

It's worth noting that 冷たい is an i-adjective, which means its conjugation follows specific patterns. For example, to make it negative, we use 冷たくない (tsumetakunai), and for the past tense, 冷たかった (tsumetakatta). Such details are essential for those who want to form sentences correctly and avoid grammatical mistakes.

Trivia and memorization tips

An effective way to remember 冷たい is to associate it with concrete situations. Imagine holding a glass of cold water and thinking "tsumetai!" – mental repetition helps to solidify the word. Another tip is to observe its use in animes and dramas, where it frequently appears in everyday dialogues or emotional scenes to describe rejection or indifference.

Furthermore, 冷たい has an interesting relationship with Japanese culture. In a country where social harmony is valued, being called 冷たい can carry significant weight, indicating that someone is being overly reserved or rude. This cultural aspect emphasizes the importance of understanding not only the translation but also the connotations behind the words.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

冷ややかな (hiyayakana) - Frio, distante
ひんやりした (hinyarishita) - Refreshing, slightly cold
冷たい (tsumetai) - Cold (to the touch), icy
冷淡な (reitantana) - Indifferent, cold (in relation to emotions)
冷静な (reiseina) - Calm, serene (cool mind)
さめた (sameta) - Cold, detached (in feelings)
涼しい (suzushii) - Cool (climate, comfortable temperature)

Related words

冷淡

reitan

Freshness; indifference

雪

yuki

snow

流れる

nagareru

to transmit; Flow; run (ink); be washed

素っ気ない

sokkenai

cold; short; like; blunt

寒い

samui

cold (for example, climate)

冷たい

Romaji: tsumetai
Kana: つめたい
Type: adjective
L: jlpt-n5

Translation / Meaning: cold (to the touch); cold; ice cream; freezing

Meaning in English: cold (to the touch);chilly;icy;freezing;coldhearted

Definition: It's cold, the temperature is low.

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How to Write in Japanese - (冷たい) tsumetai

See below a step-by-step guide on how to write the word by hand in Japanese. (冷たい) tsumetai:

Example Sentences - (冷たい) tsumetai

See below some example sentences:

氷は冷たいです。

Koori wa tsumetai desu

The ice is cold.

氷 - means "ice" in Japanese
は - is a grammatical particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case "ice"
冷たい - means "cold" or "icy" in Japanese
です - is a polite way of saying "is" or "are" in Japanese

冷たい水が好きです。

Tsumetai mizu ga suki desu

I like cold water.