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.
ビールを冷蔵庫で冷やしてください。
Please cool the beer in the fridge.
扇風機で部屋を冷やしている。
I'm cooling the room with a fan.
Formal/technical term for cooling, often used in engineering, science, or appliances.
この装置は水で冷却されます。
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.
スープを冷ましてから食べましょう。
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.
コーヒーが冷めてしまった。
The coffee has gone cold.
お風呂が冷めないうちに入ってください。
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.
夕方になって涼しくなった。
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.
この水は冷たくて気持ちいい。
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.
このジェルは肌にひんやりして気持ちいい。
This gel feels cool and refreshing on the skin.
Expressing the action of lowering one's own body temperature or cooling off from heat.
Common phrase meaning to cool down one's body, e.g., with a cold drink, shade, or air conditioning.
暑いので、冷たい飲み物で体を冷やした。
It was hot, so I cooled myself down with a cold drink.
Verb meaning to cool off or enjoy the coolness, often by going to a shady or breezy place.
木陰で涼みましょう。
Let's cool off in the shade of the tree.
Referring to cooling mechanisms, such as in engines, computers, or buildings.
Noun meaning cooling or refrigeration, used in technical contexts.
このパソコンは冷却性能が高い。
This PC has high cooling performance.
Specifically refers to air conditioning (cooling mode), as opposed to heating.
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.
It's getting chilly as night falls.
手が冷えて感覚がない。
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.
冷房をつけてもいいですか？
Can I turn on the cooling?