Translation and Meaning of: 冷ます - samasu

The Japanese word 冷ます [さます] is a verb that carries interesting practical and cultural meanings. If you are studying Japanese or simply have an interest in the language, understanding its use can enrich your vocabulary and even your perception of the language. In this article, we will explore the meaning, origin, and contexts in which this word appears, as well as tips for memorizing it effectively.

冷ます is not just a common word in everyday Japanese, but it also reveals cultural nuances about how the Japanese deal with temperatures and emotions. Whether to describe the cooling of a drink or to express the cooling of feelings, this verb has varied applications. Let's dive into its details to discover how to use it correctly.

Meaning and use of 冷ます

冷ます is a verb that means "to cool" or "to chill" something, whether in a physical sense, like lowering the temperature of food or drinks, or in an emotional sense, like calming intense feelings. For example, お茶を冷ます (おちゃをさます) means "to cool the tea." This concrete application is the most common, but the term can also appear in more abstract contexts.

In Japan, the act of cooling food or drinks is linked to cultural habits, such as avoiding burns or simply enjoying a dish at the ideal temperature. Additionally, in everyday conversations, 冷ます can be used metaphorically to describe situations where someone's enthusiasm or excitement diminishes. This duality between the physical and the emotional makes the word especially versatile.

Origin and writing of kanji

冷ます is written with the kanji 冷, which means "cold" or "to cool down," combined with the verbal suffix ます. The radical 冫 (にすい) present in the kanji represents ice, reinforcing the idea of something that is cooling down. This visual composition helps associate the character with its meaning, which can be useful for those learning to write it.

Interestingly, the same kanji appears in other words related to temperature, such as 冷たい (つめたい, "cold to the touch") and 冷蔵庫 (れいぞうこ, "refrigerator"). This connection between terms aids memorization, as once you learn the radical, you can more easily identify words that share the same theme. If you already know these vocabulary items, it becomes simpler to remember 冷ます.

Tips for memorizing and using correctly

An effective way to remember 冷ます is to associate it with everyday situations. Imagine yourself picking up a hot cup of tea and blowing on it to cool it down before drinking – this action is exactly what the verb describes. Creating such mental images helps to internalize the meaning naturally, especially if you practice Japanese in real contexts, such as cooking or talking about feelings.

Another tip is to pay attention to the use of verbs in animes, dramas, or even in Japanese recipes. Often, characters say sentences like "熱を冷まそう" (ねつをさまそう, "let's reduce the fever"), which emphasizes the sense of lowering temperature or intensity. The more you expose your brain to authentic examples, the easier it becomes to remember the word and apply it at the right moment.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Verb conjugation of 冷ます

冷ます - dictionary form
冷ましました - past
冷まそう - potential
冷まして - te-form
冷ませる - causative

Synonyms and similar words

冷やす (Hiyasu) - Chill, cool something (like drinks or food)
冷やかす (Hiyakasu) - To tease or rib someone playfully, usually in a light-hearted context.
冷やかしする (Hiyakashi suru) - Act of teasing, to make fun; it can have a lighter or more playful connotation compared to 冷やかす.