Translation guide
Expressing that something is slightly cold or chilly in Japanese. The most common way is to use the adjective 寒い (samui) for air/weather or 冷たい (tsumetai) for objects, and soften it with adverbs like 少し (sukoshi) or ちょっと (chotto).
Describing that the air or weather feels somewhat cold, but not extremely so.
The most standard and neutral way to say 'somewhat cold' for weather or air temperature. 少し (sukoshi) means 'a little' and 寒い (samui) means 'cold' (for air/atmosphere).
今日は少し寒いですね。
It's somewhat cold today, isn't it?
A more casual and conversational way to say 'a bit cold'. ちょっと (chotto) is very common in spoken Japanese.
ちょっと寒いから、窓を閉めてもいい？
It's a bit cold, so can I close the window?
Slightly more formal or written. やや (yaya) also means 'somewhat' or 'a little'.
本日の気温はやや寒く感じられます。
Today's temperature feels somewhat cold.
Describing that something you touch, like water, food, or a surface, is somewhat cold.
Use 冷たい (tsumetai) for objects, liquids, or surfaces that feel cold to the touch. 少し (sukoshi) softens it to 'somewhat cold'.
この水は少し冷たいです。
This water is somewhat cold.
Casual version using ちょっと (chotto). Very common in everyday speech.
スープがちょっと冷たいね。
The soup is a bit cold, huh?
Describing a person's demeanor or attitude as somewhat cold, distant, or unfriendly.
冷たい (tsumetai) can also describe a person's attitude. 少し (sukoshi) makes it 'somewhat cold'.
彼は少し冷たい人だ。
He is a somewhat cold person.
Casual version. Often used when commenting on someone's behavior.
彼女の返事はちょっと冷たかった。
Her reply was a bit cold.
Describing a color tone, lighting, or atmosphere that feels somewhat cold or cool.
寒色 (kanshoku) means 'cold colors' (blues, greens). Adding 少し (sukoshi) and 系 (kei, 'type') indicates a somewhat cold color scheme. Used in design/art contexts.
この部屋は少し寒色系の照明ですね。
This room has somewhat cold-toned lighting, doesn't it?