冷

JLPT N3

Cold

Readings

On’yomi: レイ (rei)

Kun’yomi: つめ(たい) ,
ひ(える),
ひ(やす) ,
ひ(やかす),
さ(める),
さ(ます) (tsume(tai), hi(eru), hi(yasu), hi(yakasu),sa(meru), sa(masu))

• つめ(たい) – cold (to touch/personality) • ひ(える) – to become cold • ひ(やす) – to cool (something) • ひ(やかす) – to tease, make fun of • さ(める) – to cool off, calm down • さ(ます) – to let cool, to wake up from (illusion, anger, etc.)

Structure

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Detailed Explanation

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Mnemonic

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Etymology

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Visual Tip

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Vocabulary

冷たい

つめたい

cold

冷房

れいぼう

air conditioning

冷蔵庫

れいぞうこ

refrigerator

冷静

れいせい

calm

冷水

れいすい

cold water

Example Sentences

水が冷たいです。

みずがつめたいです。

The water is cold.

冷房をつけます。

れいぼうをつけます。

I turn on the air conditioner.

冷蔵庫です。

れいぞうこです。

It is a refrigerator.

冷静に考えます。

れいせいにかんがえます。

I think calmly.

冷水を飲みます。

れいすいをのみます。

I drink cold water.

Cultural Note

🍵 The Japanese value emotional restraint — being “冷静 (calm)” is often seen as a virtue.
冷 thus extends beyond temperature to mean mental coolness or composure.