Translation guide
The English word 'ice' refers to frozen water, but Japanese has several words depending on context, form, and usage. This guide covers the most common equivalents and expressions.
Referring to ice as a substance, especially in drinks or for cooling.
The most common word for ice in general. Used for ice cubes, blocks, and the substance itself.
氷を入れてください。
Please put some ice in it.
この氷はとても冷たい。
This ice is very cold.
Loanword from English, often used in compounds or for ice cream, but can refer to ice in some contexts (e.g., アイスコーヒー). Not typically used alone for ice cubes.
アイスコーヒーをください。
I'll have an iced coffee, please.
Referring to ice cream, popsicles, or similar frozen treats.
Standard word for ice cream.
アイスクリームが食べたい。
I want to eat ice cream.
Short for アイスクリーム, very common in casual speech.
コンビニでアイスを買った。
I bought an ice cream at the convenience store.
Formal or technical term for frozen desserts, including popsicles and sherbet. Rare in daily conversation.
Referring to ice formed on roads, sidewalks, or other surfaces, often causing slipperiness.
Can be used for ice on surfaces, but often specified with context.
道が氷で滑りやすくなっている。
The road is slippery with ice.
Requesting or referring to ice cubes in beverages.
To put ice in a drink.
お水に氷を入れますか？
Would you like ice in your water?
Without ice. Useful when ordering drinks.
ウーロン茶、氷なしでください。
Oolong tea, no ice please.
On the rocks (for alcoholic drinks).
ウイスキーをロックでください。
Whiskey on the rocks, please.
Describing the process of water turning into ice.
Intransitive verb meaning 'to freeze'. Used for water becoming ice.
水が凍って氷になった。
The water froze and became ice.
Transitive verb meaning 'to freeze something'.
ジュースを凍らせてシャーベットを作った。
I froze the juice and made sherbet.
Referring to diamonds or expensive jewelry, often in hip-hop or slang contexts.
Slang term borrowed from English, used in music or fashion contexts to mean diamonds or bling.
彼は首にでっかいアイスをぶら下げてる。
He's got huge ice hanging around his neck.
The kanji 氷 can be read as ひ in some compounds, but it's rare. Stick to こおり for ice.
In Japan, drinks often come with ice by default. Use 氷なしで (こおりなしで) to request no ice.
We observed the manufacturing process of frozen desserts.
Specifically refers to frozen road surfaces, often used in weather reports or warnings.
今夜は路面凍結に注意してください。
Please be careful of icy roads tonight.
Loanword from German 'Eisbahn', meaning a sheet of ice on roads. Common in winter driving contexts.
アイスバーンで車がスリップした。
The car skidded on the icy road.