cool, cold

About this kanji

The kanji 冷 (れい) primarily means "cool" or "cold." It can be used as a noun or verb, depending on the context. For example, 冷蔵庫 (れいぞうこ) means "refrigerator," a common appliance in many homes for keeping food cool. Another example is 冷たい (つめたい), which describes something that feels cold to the touch, like ice or cold water. Additionally, 冷やす (ひやす) is a verb that means "to cool" something down, such as a drink. A notable usage is 冷戦 (れいせん), meaning "Cold War," referring to the geopolitical tension post-World War II. When using 冷, keep in mind that it often conveys a sense of lower temperature or coolness.

Built from

Example sentences

• 水が冷たいです。

  The water is cold.

Meanings across languages

English

cool, cold

Tiếng Việt

lạnh, mát

日本語

冷たい, 冷やす

한국어

차가운, 서늘한

中文

凉, 冷

id

dingin, sejuk

th

เย็น, เฉื่ย

es

fresco, frío

fr

froid, frais

de

kühl, kalt

pt

fresco, frio

Common compounds

• 冷蔵庫れいぞうこrefrigerator
• 冷たいつめたいcold (to the touch)
• 冷やすひやすto cool (something)
• 冷戦れいせんcold war