Explanation at your level:
Hello! Samui (寒い) is a Japanese word that means 'cold,' like when the weather is chilly. You use it when you feel cold outside. For example, you can say 'It's cold today!' in Japanese using samui. It's a simple word to describe the weather. You need this word to talk about winter or cool days. It's easy to remember because it sounds like 'ah, moo-ee!' when you feel cold!
Samui (寒い) is an adjective used to describe cold weather. When the temperature drops and you feel a chill in the air, you can say it's samui. For instance, 'Today is samui' (今日はさむい - Kyō wa samui). It's the opposite of being warm or hot. You'll use this word often during the autumn and winter months to talk about the climate. It helps you communicate basic information about the environment around you.
The Japanese adjective samui (寒い) translates to 'cold' and is primarily used to describe atmospheric conditions. It signifies a noticeable drop in temperature, making you feel chilly. You'll commonly hear it in phrases like 'It's very samui today' (今日はとてもさむいです - Kyō wa totemo samui desu). It's important to distinguish samui from tsumetai (cold to the touch); samui refers to the ambient temperature.
Samui (寒い) is a fundamental Japanese adjective denoting 'cold,' specifically concerning weather and ambient temperature. Its usage is widespread, from casual conversation about daily conditions to more descriptive writing. Beyond its literal meaning, samui can be employed metaphorically. For example, a 'samui joke' (さむいジョーク - samui jōku) refers to a joke that falls flat, creating an awkward atmosphere. Understanding this nuance helps in grasping more idiomatic expressions.
The adjective samui (寒い) is a cornerstone for discussing meteorological conditions in Japanese, signifying a significant degree of coldness in the environment. While its primary application is literal, referring to low temperatures, its conceptual extension into figurative language is notable. The expression 'samui face' (さむい顔 - samui kao) illustrates this, describing an unfriendly or distant demeanor. Mastery of samui involves recognizing its literal weather-related contexts and its metaphorical uses, which often convey a sense of lack of warmth, enthusiasm, or social connection.
Samui (寒い), derived from ancient Japanese roots, is the quintessential descriptor for cold ambient temperatures. Its etymological connections to concepts of emptiness and chilliness underscore its deep integration into the language. Beyond its pervasive meteorological application, samui functions as a potent metaphor. The term 'samui joke' (さむいジョーク - samui jōku), for instance, captures the social discomfort and lack of positive reception associated with a poorly received jest, akin to a 'cold' reception. Understanding the historical evolution and nuanced metaphorical applications of samui is crucial for a comprehensive grasp of its semantic range and cultural resonance.
Wort in 30 Sekunden
- さむい (samui) means 'cold', primarily for weather.
- It's the opposite of 暑い (atsui - hot).
- Distinguish from 冷たい (tsumetai - cold to touch).
- Used widely in daily conversation about seasons and climate.
Hey there! Let's dive into the word さむい (samui). It's a super common Japanese adjective that means 'cold,' especially when we're talking about the weather. Think about those days when you need to bundle up in scarves and gloves – that's when you'd use samui!
It's not just about feeling a bit chilly; samui usually describes a more significant drop in temperature. You might use it to talk about winter days, frosty mornings, or even a cold breeze that makes you shiver. It paints a picture of a crisp, cool environment that can sometimes feel quite biting.
Understanding samui is key to talking about the seasons and daily conditions in Japan. It's one of those essential words that helps you navigate conversations about everything from planning a picnic to deciding what to wear. So, next time you feel that cold air, you'll know exactly how to describe it!
The word samui (寒い) has a long history in the Japanese language, tracing its roots back to ancient times. Its origin is believed to be connected to older Japanese words that conveyed a sense of 'coldness' or 'emptiness,' which often go hand-in-hand in nature. The character 寒 itself has been used for centuries to denote coldness.
Interestingly, the character 寒 is also found in other East Asian languages, reflecting shared linguistic roots. For instance, in Chinese, the character 'hán' (寒) carries a very similar meaning of cold. This shared heritage highlights how concepts related to climate and sensory experiences are often expressed through similar-sounding or visually related characters across cultures.
Over time, samui became the standard, go-to adjective for describing cold weather in Japanese. Its usage has remained remarkably consistent, making it a foundational word for anyone learning the language. It's a testament to how effectively it captures the essence of a cold day, a feeling understood universally.
Samui is a versatile adjective that you'll hear and use all the time when discussing the weather in Japan. It's typically used to describe the general temperature of the environment, rather than a specific object being cold (for that, you might use tsumetai).
You'll often find samui paired with words indicating time or place. For example, 今日はさむい (kyō wa samui) means 'It's cold today,' and 冬はさむい (fuyu wa samui) means 'Winter is cold.' It can also be modified to express degrees of coldness, like とてもさむい (totemo samui) for 'very cold' or 少しさむい (sukoshi samui) for 'a little cold.'
When speaking casually, people might shorten it or use it in more expressive ways. However, in formal writing or speech, it's used straightforwardly. Remember, samui is primarily for weather and ambient temperature, so you wouldn't say a cold drink is samui; you'd say it's tsumetai. This distinction is important for sounding natural!
While samui itself is a straightforward adjective, it appears in various expressions that add color to the language. These phrases often use the concept of 'cold' metaphorically, extending beyond just temperature.
One common phrase is さむいぼ (samuibo), which literally means 'cold bumps' and refers to goosebumps – those little bumps on your skin when you're cold or scared. Another is さむいジョーク (samui jōku), meaning a 'lame' or 'corny' joke that doesn't land well, implying it's so bad it leaves you feeling cold or awkward.
You might also hear さむい顔 (samui kao), meaning a 'cold face' or an unfriendly, unapproachable expression. The idea is that the person's face looks unwelcoming, like a cold environment. These expressions show how the concept of 'cold' can be used to describe feelings, situations, and even people's demeanor, adding depth to everyday conversation.
Samui (寒い) is an i-adjective in Japanese, which means it ends with the hiragana character 'い' (i). This grammatical feature allows it to directly modify nouns or act as a predicate (stating something about the subject).
For pronunciation, the word is broken down into three distinct sounds: sa-mu-i. The 'sa' is like the 'sa' in 'sad,' 'mu' is like the 'moo' in 'moo-ving,' and 'i' is like the 'ee' in 'see.' So, it sounds like 'sah-moo-ee.' There isn't a strong stress pattern like in English; each syllable gets relatively equal emphasis.
As an i-adjective, samui can change its form to connect with other grammatical elements. For example, to make it negative, you change the 'i' to 'kunai,' forming samukunai (not cold). To connect it to another clause or verb, you might drop the 'i' and add 'katta' for the past tense, like samukatta (it was cold). These conjugations are essential for using the adjective correctly in various sentence structures.
Fun Fact
The kanji character 寒 (kan) for cold is composed of 'rain' (雨) over 'ice' (冫), visually representing the harshness of cold weather.
Pronunciation Guide
Each syllable is pronounced clearly: 'sa' as in 'sad', 'mu' as in 'moo', 'i' as in 'see'. Relatively flat intonation.
Similar to UK pronunciation, with a clear distinction between the three syllables: 'sa' like 'sah', 'mu' like 'moo', 'i' like 'ee'.
Common Errors
- Pronouncing 'mu-i' as a diphthong like 'myoo'.
- Adding unnecessary stress to one syllable.
- Confusing the vowel sounds, especially the 'u' and 'i'.
Rhymes With
Difficulty Rating
easy to read basic sentences
easy to use in basic sentences
easy to pronounce and use
easy to recognize
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Fortgeschritten
Grammar to Know
i-Adjective Conjugation
さむい -> さむかった (past), さむくない (negative)
Using Particles は (wa) and が (ga)
今日はさむい (Topic) vs. さむいと感じる (Subject)
Adjective + Noun Formation
さむい日 (cold day)
Examples by Level
今日はさむい。
Today cold.
今日は (kyō wa) = today (topic marker)
さむい！コートを着て。
Cold! Coat wear.
コートを着て (kōto o kite) = put on a coat (verb te-form)
冬はさむい。
Winter cold.
は (wa) = topic marker
さむいね。
Cold, isn't it?
ね (ne) = sentence-ending particle seeking agreement
さむいから、家に行こう。
Cold because, home go.
から (kara) = because
さむい日。
Cold day.
日 (hi) = day (noun)
さむい！ストーブをつけよう。
Cold! Stove turn on.
つけよう (tsukeyō) = let's turn on (volitional form)
さむい空気。
Cold air.
空気 (kūki) = air (noun)
昨日はとてもさむかった。
Yesterday very cold was.
昨日は (kinō wa) = yesterday (topic marker)
この部屋はさむいですね。
This room cold is, isn't it?
部屋 (heya) = room (noun)
さむいので、窓を閉めてください。
Cold because, window close please.
ので (node) = because (formal)
北のほうはもっとさむいだろう。
North direction more cold probably.
だろう (darō) = probably, I guess (conjecture)
さむい季節になりましたね。
Cold season became, didn't it?
季節 (kisetsu) = season (noun)
さむい日に温かいスープを飲む。
Cold day warm soup drink.
温かい (atatakai) = warm (adjective)
さむいと感じたら、すぐ暖房をつけてください。
Cold feel if, immediately heating turn on please.
感じる (kanjiru) = to feel (verb)
さむい時期は風邪を引きやすい。
Cold period cold catch easy.
風邪 (kaze) = cold (illness) (noun)
今朝はひどくさむかったので、布団から出るのが億劫だった。
This morning terribly cold was, so futon from getting out reluctant was.
億劫 (okkū) = troublesome, burdensome (na-adjective)
さむい時期になると、鍋料理が恋しくなる。
Cold period becomes, hot pot dishes missed become.
鍋料理 (naberyōri) = hot pot dish (noun)
さむい国からの留学生が、日本の冬に驚いている。
Cold country from international students, Japan's winter surprised are.
留学生 (ryūgakusei) = international student (noun)
さむい夜には、温かい飲み物が一番だ。
Cold night warm drink best is.
一番だ (ichiban da) = is the best (expression)
さむいジョークは、場をしらけさせる可能性がある。
Cold joke, situation dampen possibility has.
場をしらけさせる (ba o shirakesaseru) = to dampen the mood, kill the vibe (verb phrase)
さむい季節は空気が乾燥しがちなので、保湿に気をつけましょう。
Cold season air dry tends, so moisturizing pay attention let's.
乾燥しがち (kansō shigachi) = tends to be dry (adjective phrase)
さむい風が吹いているので、マフラーをしっかり巻いてください。
Cold wind blowing is, so muffler tightly wrap please.
マフラー (mafurā) = muffler, scarf (noun)
さむい時期の早朝トレーニングは精神を鍛える。
Cold period early morning training spirit trains.
精神を鍛える (seishin o kitaeru) = to train the mind/spirit (verb phrase)
今年の冬は例年よりさむい日が続いているらしい。
This year's winter usual year than cold days continuing seems.
例年より (reinen yori) = more than usual years (comparison)
さむい夜空に、満点の星が輝いていた。
Cold night sky in, full sky of stars shone.
満点の星 (manten no hoshi) = a sky full of stars (idiomatic phrase)
さむいジョークを言った後、彼は気まずそうに笑った。
Cold joke said after, he awkward-looking smiled.
気まずそうに (kimazusō ni) = awkwardly, embarrassedly (adverb)
さむい地域では、建物の断熱性能が非常に重要視される。
Cold regions in, buildings' insulation performance very highly regarded is.
断熱性能 (dannetsu seinō) = insulation performance (noun phrase)
さむい季節は、インフルエンザなどの感染症が流行しやすいため、予防策が不可欠だ。
Cold season in, influenza etc. infectious diseases spread easily because, preventive measures essential are.
感染症 (kansenshō) = infectious disease (noun)
さむい時期の早朝に山頂を目指す登山者は、十分な装備と経験が求められる。
Cold period's early morning in summit aim climbers, sufficient gear and experience required are.
装備 (sōbi) = equipment, gear (noun)
さむい風が吹きすさぶ中、彼は一人で海岸を歩いていた。
Cold wind blowing fiercely amidst, he alone coast walked was.
吹きすさぶ (fukisusabu) = to blow fiercely (verb)
さむい顔をせずに、もっと笑顔で接してください。
Cold face without, more with smile interact please.
接する (sessuru) = to interact with, deal with (verb)
さむい気候は、その地域の文化や生活様式に深く影響を与えている。
Cold climate, that region's culture and lifestyle deeply influence is giving.
生活様式 (seikatsu yōshiki) = lifestyle, way of life (noun phrase)
さむい夜空の下で、彼は故郷を遠く離れて孤独を感じていた。
Cold night sky under, he hometown far away from loneliness was feeling.
孤独 (kodoku) = solitude, loneliness (noun)
彼のさむいジョークは、場の空気を読めない彼の性格を浮き彫りにした。
His cold joke, situation's atmosphere read cannot his personality highlighted.
空気を読む (kūki o yomu) = to read the room, understand the situation (idiomatic verb phrase)
さむい地域に住む人々は、厳しい自然環境に適応するための知恵を発達させてきた。
Cold regions live people, harsh natural environment adapt for wisdom developed have.
適応する (tekiō suru) = to adapt (verb)
さむい時期に流行する感染症のパンデミックは、公衆衛生システムに多大な負荷をかける。
Cold period in spread infectious diseases' pandemic, public health system on enormous burden places.
公衆衛生 (kōshū eisei) = public health (noun phrase)
さむい早朝、彼は凍てつくような空気の中、静かに瞑想にふけっていた。
Cold early morning, he freezing like air within, quietly meditation was absorbed in.
凍てつくような (itetsuku yō na) = freezing, ice-cold (adjective phrase)
さむい風が吹き荒れる荒野を、彼はただ一人で進んでいった。
Cold wind blowing wildly desolate land, he just alone advanced went.
荒野 (kōya) = wilderness, wasteland (noun)
彼のさむい態度は、周囲の人々に距離を置かせ、チームの結束を損ねていた。
His cold attitude, surrounding people make keep distance, team's unity was damaging.
結束 (kessoku) = unity, solidarity (noun)
さむい気候風土は、しばしばその土地固有の芸術様式や文学的テーマに反映される。
Cold climate and environment, often that land's unique art styles and literary themes reflects.
気候風土 (kikō fūdo) = climate and environment (noun phrase)
さむい夜空に瞬く星々は、古代から人々を魅了し、神話や哲学の源泉となってきた。
Cold night sky in twinkle stars, ancient times from people fascinated, myths and philosophy's source became have.
瞬く (mabataki) = to twinkle, blink (verb)
彼の繰り出すさむいジョークは、皮肉と自己卑下の絶妙なバランスの上に成り立っており、一部の批評家からは高く評価されている。
His putting out cold jokes, irony and self-deprecation's exquisite balance on is based, some critics from highly praised is.
自己卑下 (jiko hige) = self-deprecation (noun)
さむい地域における持続可能な社会経済システムの構築は、自然環境との調和を最優先課題とする。
Cold regions in sustainable socio-economic system's construction, natural environment with harmony top priority issue makes.
社会経済システム (shakai keizai shisutemu) = socio-economic system (noun phrase)
さむい時期のパンデミックは、グローバル化された現代社会における公衆衛生の脆弱性を露呈させた。
Cold period's pandemic, globalized modern society in public health's vulnerability revealed.
脆弱性 (zeijakusei) = vulnerability, fragility (noun)
さむい早朝の静寂の中、彼は内省の深淵に分け入り、自己の本質を問い直していた。
Cold early morning's silence within, he introspection's abyss entered, self's essence re-examined was.
内省 (naisei) = introspection, self-reflection (noun)
さむい風が吹きすさぶ荒涼とした大地に、彼は希望の種を蒔き、未来への不屈の意志を示した。
Cold wind blowing fiercely desolate land on, he hope's seed sowed, future towards unyielding will showed.
不屈の意志 (fukutsu no ishi) = indomitable will, unyielding spirit (noun phrase)
彼のさむい態度は、単なる無関心ではなく、過去の傷から自己防衛のために編み出した複雑な心理的メカニズムであった。
His cold attitude, mere indifference not, past wounds from self-defense for devised complex psychological mechanism was.
心理的メカニズム (shinriteki mekanizumu) = psychological mechanism (noun phrase)
Häufige Kollokationen
Idioms & Expressions
"さむいぼ (samuibo)"
Goosebumps; the small bumps on the skin caused by cold or fear.
寒さでさむいぼが出た。(Samusa de samui-bo ga deta.) - I got goosebumps from the cold.
neutral"さむいジョーク (samui jōku)"
A lame, corny, or unfunny joke; a joke that falls flat.
そのさむいジョークで、みんなシーンとなった。(Sono samui jōku de, minna shīn to natta.) - After that lame joke, everyone went silent.
casual"さむい顔 (samui kao)"
A cold, unfriendly, or stern expression; an unwelcoming look.
そんなさむい顔をしないで。(Sonna samui kao o shinaide.) - Don't make such a cold face.
neutral"さむい時期 (samui jiki)"
The cold season; the period of the year when it is cold.
さむい時期は空気が乾燥しやすい。(Samui jiki wa kūki ga kansō shiyasui.) - The air tends to get dry during the cold season.
neutral"さむい思いをする (samui omoi o suru)"
To have an unpleasant experience due to cold, or to feel embarrassed/awkward (similar to a 'cold' reception).
待ち合わせに遅れたら、さむい思いをした。(Machiawase ni okuretara, samui omoi o shita.) - When I was late for the meeting, I felt awkward/uncomfortable.
neutral"さむい風が吹く (samui kaze ga fuku)"
Literally 'a cold wind blows'. Can be used metaphorically to describe a decline in popularity, a chilling atmosphere, or a period of hardship.
最近、その会社の業績にさむい風が吹いているらしい。(Saikin, sono kaisha no gyōseki ni samui kaze ga fuite iru rashii.) - It seems a cold wind is blowing for that company's performance recently.
neutralEasily Confused
Both mean 'cold'.
'Samui' is for weather/ambient temperature. 'Tsumetai' is for things cold to the touch or unfriendly people.
今日はさむい。(Kyō wa samui.) - It's cold today. / この飲み物は冷たい。(Kono nomimono wa tsumetai.) - This drink is cold.
They are direct opposites.
'Samui' means cold. 'Atsui' means hot (referring to weather).
さむい日には温かいものが食べたい。(Samui hi ni wa atatakai mono ga tabetai.) - On cold days, I want to eat warm things. / 今日は暑い。(Kyō wa atsui.) - It's hot today.
Both relate to temperature, but one is positive (warm) and the other negative (cold).
'Samui' means cold. 'Atatakai' means warm.
さむいので、暖かい部屋に入った。(Samui node, atatakai heya ni haitta.) - Because it was cold, I entered a warm room.
Both describe a lack of warmth.
'Samui' implies a significant coldness. 'Hadazamui' implies a light chill or slight coldness.
今日はさむい。(Kyō wa samui.) - It's cold today. / 朝晩は肌寒い。(Asaban wa hadazamui.) - It's chilly in the morning and evening.
Sentence Patterns
Noun + は + さむい (desu)
冬はさむいです。
さむい + Noun
さむい日には、鍋がおいしい。
さむい + と + Verb
さむいと感じたら、すぐ暖房をつけてください。
さむい + Noun + が + Verb
さむい朝が苦手です。
さむい + Noun + に + は
さむい時期には、風邪をひきやすい。
Wortfamilie
Nouns
Verbs
Adjectives
Verwandt
How to Use It
Formality Scale
Häufige Fehler
さむい is for ambient temperature/weather. 冷たい is for things that are cold to the touch or for unfriendly people.
暑い means 'hot' (weather), while さむい means 'cold'. They are direct opposites.
The 'u' sound is short and distinct, not elongated into a diphthong like 'you'.
While the word is the same, the context of the conversation (talking about weather vs. reacting to a joke) makes the meaning clear.
While さむい can describe the feeling, verbs like 凍える (kogoeru - to freeze) or phrases like 寒いと感じる (samui to kanjiru - to feel cold) are often more precise for personal sensation.
Tips
Memory Palace Trick
Imagine your house is freezing cold inside. You open the door and a cow says 'Moo-ee!' It's so cold you get goosebumps (さむいぼ - samuいぼ).
When Native Speakers Use It
Listen for 'samui' on weather forecasts, when people meet and greet each other about the day's conditions, or when planning outdoor activities.
Cultural Insight
Japan experiences distinct seasons. Discussing the cold ('samui') is a natural part of daily conversation, especially during autumn and winter.
Grammar Shortcut
Remember 'samui' is an i-adjective. To make it past tense, change 'i' to 'katta' (samukatta). To make it negative, change 'i' to 'kunai' (samukunai).
Say It Right
Focus on pronouncing each syllable distinctly: SA-MU-I. Avoid making it sound like one long word.
Don't Make This Mistake
Avoid using 'samui' for cold objects. Always use 'tsumetai' for things you touch.
Did You Know?
The kanji for 'samui' (寒) visually combines 'rain' and 'ice', perfectly depicting harsh cold weather!
Study Smart
Create flashcards with 'samui' on one side and 'cold (weather)' on the other. Add example sentences and its antonyms.
Distinguishing Nuances
Pay attention to context: 'samui' for weather, 'tsumetai' for touch/people, 'hadazamui' for a light chill.
Active Recall
Try describing different weather scenarios (snowy day, cold wind, chilly morning) using 'samui' and related vocabulary.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Imagine saying 'Ah, moo-ee!' when you feel a cold cow bump into you!
Visual Association
Picture a shivering cow in a snowy field, saying 'Moo... it's cold!'
Word Web
Herausforderung
Try describing today's weather using 'samui' and its opposite 'atsui' or 'atatakai'.
Wortherkunft
Japanese
Original meaning: The word's origins are somewhat debated, but it's thought to be related to older Japanese words conveying a sense of 'emptiness', 'stillness', or 'lack of warmth', which are sensations often associated with cold.
Kultureller Kontext
Generally, discussing the weather is neutral. However, complaining excessively about the cold might be seen as less stoic in some contexts, though it's usually understood.
In English-speaking cultures, 'cold' is a very common descriptor for weather, just as 'samui' is in Japan. Seasonal changes are significant, and discussions about the weather are frequent.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
Daily conversation about weather
- 今日はさむいですね。(Kyō wa samui desu ne.) - It's cold today, isn't it?
- さむくなる一方だ。(Samuku naru ippō da.) - It's getting colder and colder.
- さむいから、早く帰ろう。(Samui kara, hayaku kaerō.) - It's cold, let's go home quickly.
Travel planning
- さむい国への旅行 (samui kuni e no ryokō) - Trip to a cold country
- さむい時期の観光 (samui jiki no kankō) - Sightseeing during the cold season
- さむい夜でも楽しめるアクティビティ (samui yoru demo tanoshimeru akuteibiti) - Activities enjoyable even on cold nights
Describing seasons
- さむい冬が来る。(Samui fuyu ga kuru.) - The cold winter is coming.
- さむい季節の始まり。(Samui kisetsu no hajimari.) - The beginning of the cold season.
- さむさが増してきた。(Samusa ga mashite kita.) - The coldness has increased.
Expressing feelings about cold
- さむいのは苦手です。(Samui no wa nigate desu.) - I'm not good with the cold.
- さむいと、体がこわばる。(Samui to, karada ga kowabaru.) - When it's cold, my body stiffens.
- さむいジョークはやめて。(Samui jōku wa yamete.) - Stop telling lame jokes.
Conversation Starters
"今日はさむいですね！どんな服装がいいですか？"
"さむい季節に一番食べたいものは何ですか？"
"さむい国に行ったことがありますか？"
"さむいと感じるとき、どうやって暖まりますか？"
"さむいジョーク、一つ言ってください！"
Journal Prompts
Describe a particularly memorable 'samui' day in your life.
Write about your favorite activities during the 'samui' season.
How does the 'samui' weather affect your mood or energy levels?
Imagine a place where it's always 'samui'. What would it be like?
Häufig gestellte Fragen
8 Fragenさむい (samui) is used for the weather or the general environment's temperature (e.g., 'It's cold today'). 冷たい (tsumetai) is used for things that are cold to the touch (like ice or a cold drink) or for people who are unfriendly.
Yes, but not directly for their body temperature. You can say someone has a 'samui kao' (さむい顔), meaning a cold or unfriendly expression. You wouldn't say 'I am samui' to mean you feel cold; you'd say 'Samui' or 'Samui to kanjiru' (I feel cold).
Mostly, yes. It describes cold weather, which is most common in winter. However, it can also be used for very cold autumn or spring days, or even a cold night in summer if the temperature drops significantly.
You would say '昨日 (きのう) は さむかった (samukatta) です' (Kinō wa samukatta desu). 'Samukatta' is the past tense of 'samui'.
The main opposites are 暑い (atsui) for hot weather, and 暖かい (atatakai) for warm weather or general warmth.
Yes, 'samui' is an extremely common and essential adjective in Japanese, used very frequently when discussing the weather and seasons.
No, generally not. For cold food or drinks, use 冷たい (tsumetai). 'Samui' is reserved for ambient temperature or weather.
While 'samui' is standard, in very formal writing or specific contexts, you might see the kanji 寒 (kan) used, often in compound words like 寒冷 (kanrei) meaning cold.
Teste dich selbst
今日はとても ______ です。
We use 'samui' to describe cold weather.
Which word means 'cold weather'?
'Samui' specifically refers to cold weather or ambient temperature.
You can use 'samui' to describe a cold glass of water.
For objects cold to the touch, 'tsumetai' is usually used. 'Samui' is for weather.
Word
Bedeutung
Matching weather/temperature terms to their English equivalents.
The correct sentence is 'さむいので、コートを着ました。' (Because it's cold, I wore a coat).
今年の冬は例年より ______ 日が続いている。
'Samui' fits the context of cold days continuing more than usual.
What does 'samui jōku' (さむいジョーク) mean?
'Samui jōku' refers to a joke that falls flat and creates an awkward atmosphere.
The word 'samui' can be used to describe a person's unfriendly demeanor.
Yes, 'samui kao' (cold face) refers to an unfriendly expression.
さむい ______ は、公衆衛生システムに多大な負荷をかける。
'Samui kikō' (cold climate) is the most appropriate term in this context discussing long-term impacts on public health systems.
さむい夜空に瞬く星々は、古代から人々を______。
'Miyō shite kita' (魅了してきた - have fascinated) fits the poetic context of stars captivating people since ancient times.
Ergebnis: /10
Summary
Mastering 'samui' is essential for discussing weather and seasons in Japanese.
- さむい (samui) means 'cold', primarily for weather.
- It's the opposite of 暑い (atsui - hot).
- Distinguish from 冷たい (tsumetai - cold to touch).
- Used widely in daily conversation about seasons and climate.
Memory Palace Trick
Imagine your house is freezing cold inside. You open the door and a cow says 'Moo-ee!' It's so cold you get goosebumps (さむいぼ - samuいぼ).
When Native Speakers Use It
Listen for 'samui' on weather forecasts, when people meet and greet each other about the day's conditions, or when planning outdoor activities.
Cultural Insight
Japan experiences distinct seasons. Discussing the cold ('samui') is a natural part of daily conversation, especially during autumn and winter.
Grammar Shortcut
Remember 'samui' is an i-adjective. To make it past tense, change 'i' to 'katta' (samukatta). To make it negative, change 'i' to 'kunai' (samukunai).
Beispiel
冬はさむいですね。
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B1Above; on top of; up.
〜の上
A2On top of, above, upon.
豊か
B1Abundant; rich; plentiful (na-adjective).
〜に従って
B1According to, in conformity with, as (something happens).
酸性雨
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営み
B1Activity; daily life; undertaking (e.g., life's activities).
順応する
B1To adapt; to adjust; to conform.
~を背景に
B1Against the backdrop of; with...as background.
空気
A2air
大気汚染
B1Air pollution; the presence of harmful substances in the air.
