Translation guide
The English word 'cooling' can refer to lowering temperature, becoming cooler, or the sensation of coolness. In Japanese, the expression depends on whether something is actively cooled, naturally cools down, or feels cool. This guide covers common verbs, adjectives, and phrases for these situations.
Expressing the action of lowering the temperature of an object, room, or substance.
Transitive verb meaning to cool something down intentionally, e.g., with a fan, refrigerator, or ice.
Please cool the beer in the fridge.
I'm cooling the room with a fan.
Formal/technical term for cooling, often used in engineering, science, or appliances.
This device is cooled with water.
Transitive verb meaning to let something cool down, often used for hot food or drinks left to reach room temperature.
Let the soup cool down before eating.
Describing something that naturally loses heat or becomes less hot.
Intransitive verb for hot things (food, drinks, baths) cooling down to room temperature.
The coffee has gone cold.
Please take a bath before it gets cold.
Intransitive verb for things getting cold/chilly, often used for weather, body parts, or objects becoming cold to the touch.
Describes the weather or environment becoming pleasantly cool, not cold.
It cooled down in the evening.
Expressing that something feels cool to the touch or provides a refreshing cool feeling.
Adjective for something cold to the touch, like ice, water, or metal. Can also describe a cold personality.
This water is cold and feels good.
Adjective for a pleasantly cool temperature, often used for weather, breeze, or light clothing.
Describes a pleasantly cool sensation, often used for skin, air, or surfaces. Softer than 冷たい.
This gel feels cool and refreshing on the skin.
Expressing the action of lowering one's own body temperature or cooling off from heat.
Referring to cooling mechanisms, such as in engines, computers, or buildings.
These four verbs are often confused. 冷やす (transitive) is for actively cooling something (e.g., with ice). 冷ます (transitive) is for letting something hot cool down naturally. 冷える (intransitive) is for things becoming cold/chilly (weather, body parts). 冷める (intransitive) is for hot things losing heat (food, bath).
While 冷たい means cold to the touch, it is not used for air temperature. Use 寒い (cold weather) or 涼しい (cool/pleasant weather) instead.
夜になると冷えてきた。
It's getting chilly as night falls.
My hands are so cold I can't feel them.
涼しい風が吹いている。
A cool breeze is blowing.
Let's cool off in the shade of the tree.
冷房をつけてもいいですか？
Can I turn on the cooling?