Bedeutung
Used to express physical discomfort due to low temperature.
Kultureller Hintergrund
Estonians are very stoic about the cold. Complaining 'Mul on külm' is common, but it's usually followed by a practical solution like drinking hot tea or going to the sauna. In the sauna, the phrase is used in reverse. People might say 'Mul on külm' as a joke while sitting in a 100-degree room if they are used to even higher heat. There is a cultural emphasis on 'kihiline riietumine' (layering). If you say you are cold, an Estonian will likely ask how many layers you are wearing. It is considered polite to ask guests 'Kas teil on külm?' when they arrive from outside during winter, often followed by offering slippers (tuhvlid).
Use 'Mul hakkas'
If you just stepped outside, say 'Mul hakkas külm' to sound more native.
Avoid 'Ma olen'
Never say 'Ma olen külm' unless you want to say you have no heart!
Bedeutung
Used to express physical discomfort due to low temperature.
Use 'Mul hakkas'
If you just stepped outside, say 'Mul hakkas külm' to sound more native.
Avoid 'Ma olen'
Never say 'Ma olen külm' unless you want to say you have no heart!
The 'Jahe' nuance
Use 'jahe' for air conditioning, 'külm' for the Estonian winter.
Body parts
You can say 'Mul on jalgadel külm' (My feet are cold) using the same pattern.
Teste dich selbst
How do you say 'I am cold' in Estonian?
Choose the correct phrase:
Estonian uses the adessive 'Mul' (on me) + 'on' (is) + 'külm' (cold).
Complete the sentence to ask 'Are you cold?'
Kas ____ on külm?
The second person singular adessive is 'sul'.
Match the phrase to the situation.
You are in a room with an open window and you feel a chill.
'Mul on külm' is used for feeling cold. 'Janu' is thirst, 'hea meel' is happiness, and 'kiire' is being in a hurry.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Väljas on lumi! B: Jah, ja ____ on väga külm!
'Mul' is the most natural way to say 'on me' in this context.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Aufgabensammlung
4 AufgabenChoose the correct phrase:
Estonian uses the adessive 'Mul' (on me) + 'on' (is) + 'külm' (cold).
Kas ____ on külm?
The second person singular adessive is 'sul'.
You are in a room with an open window and you feel a chill.
'Mul on külm' is used for feeling cold. 'Janu' is thirst, 'hea meel' is happiness, and 'kiire' is being in a hurry.
A: Väljas on lumi! B: Jah, ja ____ on väga külm!
'Mul' is the most natural way to say 'on me' in this context.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Häufig gestellte Fragen
10 FragenYes, but it's very formal. In 99% of cases, use 'Mul on'.
'Külm' is cold, 'jahe' is chilly. Use 'jahe' for a light breeze.
You can say 'Ma külmun ära!' or 'Mul on jube külm!'.
In this construction, it functions as a predicate adjective describing the state.
Ask 'Kas sul on külm?'
No, for food say 'Supp on külm' (The soup is cold).
You still say 'Mul on külm', but you might add 'Mul on külmavärinad' (I have chills).
Younger people might say 'Ma kardan külma' or just 'Nii külm!'.
No, that is 'Mul on külmetus'.
Use the past tense: 'Mul oli külm'.
Verwandte Redewendungen
Mul on jahe
similarI am chilly
Mul hakkas külm
builds onI got cold
Mul on palav
contrastI am hot
Külmavares
specialized formA person who is always cold
