Signification
Cold temperature.
Contexte culturel
Greeks drink cold coffee (Freddo) even in the dead of winter. If you say 'Είναι κρύο' about a Freddo, it's a compliment, not a complaint! Island winters are humid. 'Είναι κρύο' there feels much colder than the temperature suggests because of the 'υγρασία' (humidity). The 'fanh' (undershirt) is a cultural icon. Parents fear the cold so much they insist children wear one even if 'είναι κρύο' just a little bit. Many Greek churches are built of stone and remain 'κρύα' even in summer. It's a common place to hear this phrase as a relief from the heat.
The 'I am cold' Trap
Never say 'Είμαι κρύο'. It's the #1 mistake for English speakers. Use 'Κρυώνω'.
Weather vs. Objects
Use 'Κάνει κρύο' for the sky, 'Είναι κρύο' for the pie!
Signification
Cold temperature.
The 'I am cold' Trap
Never say 'Είμαι κρύο'. It's the #1 mistake for English speakers. Use 'Κρυώνω'.
Weather vs. Objects
Use 'Κάνει κρύο' for the sky, 'Είναι κρύο' for the pie!
Complimenting Drinks
In Greece, saying 'Είναι πολύ κρύο' about a beer or water is a high compliment.
Agreement
If you name the object, match the gender: 'Ο καφές είναι κρύος' (masc), 'Η σούπα είναι κρύα' (fem).
Teste-toi
How do you say 'The water is cold'?
Το νερό ______ κρύο.
We use 'είναι' to describe the state of an object like water.
Fill in the missing word for weather.
Έξω ______ κρύο σήμερα.
Both 'είναι' and 'κάνει' are acceptable for weather, but 'είναι' fits the 'It is cold' structure.
Match the phrase to the situation.
You feel a draft from the window.
You are describing the air/environment in the room.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Θέλεις παγωτό; B: Όχι, ευχαριστώ. ______.
B is explaining why they don't want ice cream (because they feel cold).
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesΤο νερό ______ κρύο.
We use 'είναι' to describe the state of an object like water.
Έξω ______ κρύο σήμερα.
Both 'είναι' and 'κάνει' are acceptable for weather, but 'είναι' fits the 'It is cold' structure.
You feel a draft from the window.
You are describing the air/environment in the room.
A: Θέλεις παγωτό; B: Όχι, ευχαριστώ. ______.
B is explaining why they don't want ice cream (because they feel cold).
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsYes, it is perfectly correct, though 'Κάνει κρύο' is slightly more common in casual speech.
'Κρύο' is general cold. 'Ψύχος' is extreme, biting cold, often used in weather reports.
You say 'Είναι λιγάκι κρύο' or 'Κάνει λίγο κρύο'.
It can be both! In 'Είναι κρύο', it acts as an adjective (neuter). As a noun, it means 'the cold' (το κρύο).
It's an idiomatic way to describe the weather 'acting' on the environment, similar to French or Spanish.
Yes, you can say 'Είναι κρύος άνθρωπος' to mean someone is emotionally distant.
Simply use a rising intonation: 'Είναι κρύο;'
The opposite is 'Είναι ζεστό' (It is hot/warm).
Only if you are using it as a noun: 'Το κρύο είναι δυνατό' (The cold is strong).
It is neutral. It's fine for all situations.
Expressions liées
Κάνει κρύο
similarIt is cold (weather)
Κρυώνω
builds onI feel cold
Παγωμένο
specialized formFrozen / Icy
Δροσιά
contrastCoolness / Freshness
Ψύχος
specialized formExtreme cold / Bitter cold
