Signification
Water served at a low temperature.
Contexte culturel
In Japan, water and tea are almost always provided for free as soon as you sit down. This is a sign of hospitality. In summer, it is always 'tsumetai mizu' or 'o-hiya' with ice. Cold water is used for 'Misogi' (purification). Practitioners stand under cold waterfalls or pour cold water over themselves to cleanse their spirits. Gardens often feature 'Suikinkutsu', a buried pot that creates a beautiful splashing sound when water drips into it, designed to make the listener feel 'cool' (suzushii) just by hearing the water. In Japan, tap water is safe to drink nationwide. You will often see public 'reisui' (cold water) fountains in parks and train stations that are well-maintained.
Restaurant Hack
If your water glass is empty, just say 'O-mizu kudasai' or 'O-hiya kudasai'. You don't always need to say 'tsumetai'.
Weather Mistake
Never say 'tsumetai' to describe a snowy day. Use 'samui' for the day and 'tsumetai' for the snow itself.
Signification
Water served at a low temperature.
Restaurant Hack
If your water glass is empty, just say 'O-mizu kudasai' or 'O-hiya kudasai'. You don't always need to say 'tsumetai'.
Weather Mistake
Never say 'tsumetai' to describe a snowy day. Use 'samui' for the day and 'tsumetai' for the snow itself.
Health Context
In Japan, some people avoid 'tsumetai mizu' for health (digestion) and prefer 'jou-on' (room temperature).
Teste-toi
Fill in the blank to ask for cold water.
{冷たい|つめたい}____をください。
'Mizu' is water. 'Oyu' is hot water, 'Tenki' is weather, and 'Gohan' is rice/meal.
Which sentence is correct to describe the cold water in a river?
Choose the correct sentence:
'Tsumetai' is used for objects. 'Samui' is for weather. I-adjectives don't use 'na' or 'da' before 'desu'.
Complete the dialogue at a restaurant.
Customer: すみません、{冷たい|つめたい}{水|みず}をください。 Waiter: はい、________。
'O-hiya' is the polite restaurant term for cold water.
🎉 Score : /3
Aides visuelles
Types of Water in Japan
Cold
- • {冷たい|つめたい}{水|みず}
- • お{冷|ひ}や
- • {冷水|れいすい}
Hot
- • お{湯|おゆ}
- • {熱湯|ねっとう}
Banque d exercices
3 exercices{冷たい|つめたい}____をください。
'Mizu' is water. 'Oyu' is hot water, 'Tenki' is weather, and 'Gohan' is rice/meal.
Choose the correct sentence:
'Tsumetai' is used for objects. 'Samui' is for weather. I-adjectives don't use 'na' or 'da' before 'desu'.
Customer: すみません、{冷たい|つめたい}{水|みず}をください。 Waiter: はい、________。
'O-hiya' is the polite restaurant term for cold water.
🎉 Score : /3
Questions fréquentes
4 questionsYes, but it means they are 'cold-hearted' or 'unfriendly'. It's not about their body temperature.
Adding 'o' makes it more polite. In a restaurant or as a guest, 'o-mizu' is better.
In winter, yes, it's very cold. In summer, it might be lukewarm, so people add ice.
It's traditional restaurant jargon that became standard polite Japanese for 'chilled water'.
Expressions liées
お{冷|ひ}や
specialized formPolite term for drinking water in restaurants.
{冷水|れいすい}
formalCold water (technical/formal).
{氷水|こおりみず}
similarIce water.
{冷|つめ}たい{飲|の}み{物|もの}
builds onCold drink.
