Translation guide
How to express 'get cold' in Japanese, covering temperature changes in weather, objects, body parts, and food, as well as emotional coldness.
Describing when the weather, air, or surroundings turn cold.
The most common way to say the weather or air gets cold. 寒い (cold) + なる (to become).
It's gradually getting cold.
It gets cold suddenly at night.
Emphasizes a sharp drop in temperature, often used for chilly mornings or nights.
It got especially cold this morning.
Describing when something like a drink, metal, or hands loses heat and feels cold.
Used for objects that become cold to the touch. 冷たい (cold to the touch) + なる.
The soup got cold.
My hands are getting cold.
Specifically for hot things (food, drinks, bathwater) cooling down to room temperature. Intransitive.
Transitive verb meaning to cool something down intentionally. Not 'get cold' but related.
This means 'to cool something', not 'to become cold'. Use only when someone actively cools an object.
Expressing that one's body or a body part feels cold, often due to illness or environment.
Specifically for prepared food or beverages that were hot and are now cooling down.
Describing when feelings, enthusiasm, or a relationship becomes less warm or distant.
寒い (samui) is for atmospheric or environmental coldness (air, weather). 冷たい (tsumetai) is for coldness felt by touch (objects, liquids, body parts). Use 寒くなる for weather getting cold, and 冷たくなる for things getting cold to the touch.
It's cold outside.
This water is cold.
Saying スープが寒い (sūpu ga samui) is incorrect. Use 冷たい (tsumetai) or 冷める (sameru) for food and drinks.
コーヒーが冷めちゃった。
The coffee got cold.
The bath got cold.
ビールを冷やしてください。
Please chill the beer.
Lately, her attitude has become cold.