涼しい
suzushii
It's cool (weather/breeze)
Phrase in 30 Seconds
{涼|すず}しい describes that perfect, refreshing 'cool' feeling when a breeze hits you on a hot day.
- Means: A pleasant, refreshing coolness (not too cold).
- Used in: Describing weather, air conditioning, or someone's calm 'cool' expression.
- Don't confuse: Never use it for cold drinks; use {冷|つめ}たい for that!
Explanation at your level:
意思
Statement indicating a pleasant, moderate coolness.
文化背景
The concept of 'Suzumi' ({涼|すず}み) involves actively seeking out cool places in summer. This includes 'Kawabata-suzumi' (cooling off by the river) which has been a popular social activity for centuries. Kyoto is famous for 'Kawa-yuka' ({川床|かわゆか}), wooden platforms built over rivers where people eat dinner to feel the {涼|すず}しい breeze from the water. The sound of a {風鈴|ふうりん} (wind chime) is culturally perceived as 'making the air feel cool'. It is a psychological trick to survive the humidity. Uniqlo's 'AIRism' line is marketed using the concept of {涼|すず}しい. It's all about 'breathability' and staying cool in the urban heat.
The 'Ahhh' Rule
If you feel like saying 'Ahhh, that feels good' because of the temperature, it's probably 'suzushii'.
Avoid for People
Don't call a person 'suzushii' to mean they are a 'cool guy'. Use 'kakkoii' instead.
意思
Statement indicating a pleasant, moderate coolness.
The 'Ahhh' Rule
If you feel like saying 'Ahhh, that feels good' because of the temperature, it's probably 'suzushii'.
Avoid for People
Don't call a person 'suzushii' to mean they are a 'cool guy'. Use 'kakkoii' instead.
Use with 'Sou'
Saying 'suzushisou' (looks cool) is a great way to compliment someone's summer outfit.
The Wind Chime Trick
Mentioning that a sound is 'suzushii' is a very high-level cultural observation.
自我测试
Choose the correct word to describe a cold glass of water.
この{水|みず}はとても（ ）です。
'Suzushii' is for air; 'tsumetai' is for objects you touch.
Fill in the blank with the correct form of {涼|すず}しい.
{秋|あき}になって、{外|そと}が（ ）なりました。
Before 'narimasu' (to become), the 'i' changes to 'ku'.
Match the phrase to the situation.
Situation: Someone just told a lie but looks completely calm.
'Suzushii kao' (cool face) means acting nonchalant or unfazed.
Complete the dialogue.
A: {今日|きょう}は{暑|あつ}いですね。 B: そうですね。でも、（ ）が{吹|ふ}くと{気持|きも}ちいいですよ。
A 'cool breeze' is the most natural and pleasant thing on a hot day.
🎉 得分： /4
视觉学习工具
Suzushii vs. Tsumetai vs. Samui
Ways to feel {涼|すず}しい
Sound
- • {風鈴|ふうりん} (Wind chime)
- • {鈴|すず} (Bell)
Food
- • {氷|こおり} (Shaved ice)
- • {素麺|そうめん} (Somen)
Nature
- • {木陰|こかげ} (Shade)
- • {滝|たき} (Waterfall)
常见问题
10 个问题No, use 'tsumetai' for drinks and food.
It is neutral. You can use it with anyone by adding 'desu'.
The direct opposite is 'mushi-atsui' (humid/hot) or just 'atsui' (hot).
Only if you are being sarcastic or if a room is unexpectedly warm and then cools down.
It means acting like nothing is wrong, even if you are in trouble or just did something bad.
Yes, it is {涼|すず}しい. The left part represents water.
Use '{涼|すず}しくなってきた' (Suzushiku natte kita).
No, use 'omoshiroi' (interesting) or 'sugoi' (amazing).
Suzuyaka is more poetic and describes a clear, refreshing beauty.
Yes, almost always. It implies comfort and relief.
相关表达
{冷|つめ}たい
similarCold to the touch
{寒|さむ}い
similarCold (unpleasant)
{涼|すず}む
builds onTo cool oneself off
{清涼|せいりょう}
specialized formRefreshing/Cool (formal)
{肌寒|はだざむ}い
contrastChilly
在哪里用
Entering a store with AC
Customer: わあ、この{店|みせ}、すごく{涼|すず}しいですね。
Staff: はい、エアコンを{強|つよ}めにいれています。
Evening walk
Friend A: {夜|よる}は{涼|すず}しくなったね。
Friend B: うん、{散歩|さんぽ}にちょうどいいよ。
At a waterfall
Tourist: {滝|たき}の{近|ちか}くは{涼|すず}しいですね！
Guide: マイナスイオンもたっぷりですよ。
Office gossip
Colleague A: {田中|たなか}さん、ミスしたのに{涼|すず}しい{顔|かお}をしてるね。
Colleague B: ちょっと{信|しん}じられないよね。
Buying summer clothes
Shopper: このシャツ、{涼|すず}しいですか？
Clerk: はい、リネンなのでとても{通気性|つうきせい}がいいですよ。
Weather forecast
Announcer: {明日|あした}は{北風|きたかぜ}の{影響|えいきょう}で、{日中|にっちゅう}も{涼|すず}しいでしょう。
Viewer: じゃあ、ジャケットを{持|も}っていこう。
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Think of a 'Soothe-y' (Suzushii) breeze that makes you feel better.
Visual Association
Imagine standing in front of a giant blue fan on a hot day. The air hitting your face is 'Suzushii'.
Rhyme
When the sun is high, and you want to sigh, look for the breeze that is Suzushii.
Story
A traveler was walking through a hot desert. Suddenly, he found a hidden cave. Inside, the air was not hot, not cold, but perfectly 'Suzushii'. He sat down and said 'Suzu-shii' as he felt the relief.
Word Web
挑战
Next time you feel a breeze, say 'Suzushii!' out loud. Do this 5 times today.
In Other Languages
Cool
English 'cool' is slang for 'good'; Japanese 'suzushii' is strictly temperature/vibe.
Fresco
Spanish 'fresco' can also mean 'fresh' for food, whereas Japanese uses 'shinsen'.
Frais
French 'frais' is used for water temperature, where Japanese would use 'tsumetai'.
Kühl
German 'kühl' can feel slightly more negative/cold than the refreshing 'suzushii'.
لطيف (Latif)
Arabic focuses more on the 'pleasantness' than the specific temperature drop.
凉快 (Liángkuai)
Chinese 'Liángkuai' is less commonly used for the 'nonchalant face' idiom.
시원하다 (Siwonhada)
Korean 'siwonhada' applies to hot food/baths; 'suzushii' is strictly for cool temperatures.
Fresco
Portuguese uses 'fresco' for new/fresh things (like bread), which Japanese does not.
Easily Confused
Both can be translated as 'cool' or 'cold' in English.
If you can touch it with your hand, use 'tsumetai'. If it's the air around you, use 'suzushii'.
Both refer to low temperatures.
If you need a coat, it's 'samui'. If you feel refreshed and happy, it's 'suzushii'.
常见问题 (10)
No, use 'tsumetai' for drinks and food.
It is neutral. You can use it with anyone by adding 'desu'.
The direct opposite is 'mushi-atsui' (humid/hot) or just 'atsui' (hot).
Only if you are being sarcastic or if a room is unexpectedly warm and then cools down.
It means acting like nothing is wrong, even if you are in trouble or just did something bad.
Yes, it is {涼|すず}しい. The left part represents water.
Use '{涼|すず}しくなってきた' (Suzushiku natte kita).
No, use 'omoshiroi' (interesting) or 'sugoi' (amazing).
Suzuyaka is more poetic and describes a clear, refreshing beauty.
Yes, almost always. It implies comfort and relief.
