Translation and Meaning of: 寒い - samui

If you're learning Japanese, you've probably come across the word 寒い (さむい - samui). It is essential for describing physical and even emotional sensations in the language. In this article, we will explore its meaning, everyday use, writing in kanji, and some curiosities that go beyond simple translation. Whether to better understand the weather in Japan or to enrich your vocabulary, this guide will help you master this word naturally.

The meaning and use of 寒い (さむい)

寒い is a Japanese adjective that means "cold" in the sense of low temperature. Unlike 冷たい (つめたい - tsumetai), which describes cold objects or tactile sensations, 寒い is more related to environmental perception. For example, when saying "今日は寒いですね" (kyou wa samui desu ne), you are commenting on the cold weather of the day.

In addition to its literal use, this word can appear in emotional contexts, such as in expressions that indicate loneliness or helplessness. However, this application is less common and generally depends on the context of the sentence. For students, the most important thing is to remember its main meaning and avoid confusion with other terms related to cold.

The writing and origin of the kanji 寒

The kanji 寒 is composed of 12 strokes and belongs to the group of characters that represent abstract concepts related to sensations. It combines the radical for "roof" (宀) with elements that suggest ice or freezing, reinforcing the idea of intense cold. This structure helps to understand why the term is associated with low temperatures and climate discomfort.

It is worth noting that 寒い is one of the first words related to weather that students learn, precisely because of its frequency in everyday conversations. In the Japanese winter, it is common to hear it repeated several times, whether in weather forecasts or in informal dialogues among friends and colleagues.

Trivia and tips for memorization

An effective way to reinforce 寒い is to associate it with real-life situations. If you have ever experienced a harsh winter, imagine the feeling of saying "samui!" when stepping out of the house on a cold morning. This emotional connection makes memorization easier. Another tip is to practice with weather forecast announcements in Japanese, where the word appears frequently.

In the cultural realm, it is worth mentioning that Japan has winter festivals where the cold is part of the experience, such as the Sapporo Snow Festival. On these occasions, hearing 寒い on the streets is almost inevitable. Observing how locals use the word in real contexts can be just as helpful as studying it in textbooks.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

• 冷たい (Tsumetai) - Cold to the touch, usually used to describe objects.
• ひんやりする (Hinyari suru) - Feeling cool or slightly cold, often used to describe pleasant temperatures.
• さむい (Samui) - Cold, used to describe weather or atmospheric conditions.
• 寒冷な (Kanrei na) - Intense cold, used to describe climates or environments that are severely cold.

寒い

Romaji: samui
Kana: さむい
Type: adjective
L: jlpt-n5

Translation / Meaning: cold (for example, climate)

Meaning in English: cold (e.g. weather)

Definition: The temperature is low and the body feels cold.

Example Sentences - (寒い) samui

See below some example sentences:

寒いですね。

Samoshi desu ne

Is cold

Is cold.

• 寒い - kanai - Cold
• です - is (a Japanese copula, often used to indicate a state of being) Verb "to be" in the present tense
• ね - Ne - particle of confirmation or agreement

冬は寒いです。

Fuyu wa samui desu

Winter is cold.

Winter is cold.

• 冬 - means "winter" in Japanese.
• は - is a grammatical particle in Japanese that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case "winter".
• 寒い - means "cold" in Japanese, and is an adjective that describes winter.
• です - is a polite way of saying "it is" in Japanese, and is used to end a sentence.

味噌汁は寒い日にぴったりです。

Miso shiru wa samui hi ni pittari desu

Missô soup is perfect for cold days.

• 味噌汁 - miso soup
• は - Topic particle
• 寒い - Cold
• 日 - day
• に - target particle
• ぴったり - perfect, suitable
• です - verb to be in the polite form
• . - Period