Meaning
The kanji 冷 (れい, ひ.える, ひ.やす, つめ.たい, etc.) is a versatile character primarily conveying the meaning of 'cold' or 'cool' in various contexts. It can describe a physical temperature, an emotional state, or even the action of making something cold. At its core, 冷 signifies a lack of warmth or heat.
Visually, 冷 is composed of two main parts: the radical 冫 (にすい - nisui) on the left, and 令 (れい - rei) on the right. The 冫 radical is a variant of 氷 (こおり - koori), meaning 'ice,' clearly indicating coldness or freezing. This radical is a strong clue to the kanji's temperature-related meaning. The right-hand component 令 originally meant 'order,' 'command,' or 'make.' In 冷, it primarily functions as a phonetic component, contributing its 'rei' sound to the on'yomi reading.
One can also interpret a subtle connection: 'making' (令) something 'ice-like' (冫) results in coldness. Or, a 'commanded' (令) stillness, like cold water, can bring 'calmness' or 'indifference.' However, the ice radical is the most direct and crucial clue to its meaning.
This kanji has 7 strokes and is taught in the 4th grade of elementary school in Japan, making it a foundational character for understanding temperature and related concepts.
Readings
On'yomi (音読み) — Chinese-derived readings
The on'yomi (Chinese-derived reading) for 冷 is primarily レイ (rei). You'll frequently encounter this reading in compound words, especially those related to scientific, technical, or more abstract aspects of coldness.
- 冷蔵庫 (reizouko) — refrigerator
This common word directly combines 冷 (cold), 蔵 (store), and 庫 (storage). It refers to the appliance that keeps food cold.
- 冷房 (reibou) — air conditioning (cooling mode)
Here, 冷 means cold and 房 means room or chamber. So, it literally means 'cold room' or 'cooling a room,' referring to the cooling function of an air conditioner.
- 冷静 (reisei) — calm, composure
This compound takes on a more abstract meaning. It refers to a cool-headed or composed state of mind, combining 冷 (cold/cool) with 静 (quiet/still) to imply not being easily agitated.
Kun'yomi (訓読み) — Native Japanese readings
The kun'yomi (native Japanese readings) of 冷 are more numerous. They express various nuances of coldness, often as verbs or adjectives describing direct sensory experience.
- 冷たい (tsume.tai) — cold (to the touch), chilly, unfeeling
This i-adjective describes something physically cold when touched, like a cold drink or hand. It can also describe a person's cold or unfeeling demeanor.
冷たい水 (tsumetai mizu) — cold water
彼の態度は冷たかった (kare no taido wa tsumetakatta) — His attitude was cold.
冷える (hi.eru) — to get cold, to chill (intransitive verb)
This verb describes a state where something becomes cold naturally or through a process, without a direct agent performing the cooling.
体が冷える (karada ga hieru) — The body gets cold.
夜になると気温が冷える (yoru ni naru to kion ga hieru) — The temperature gets cold at night.
冷やす (hi.yasu) — to cool (something), to chill (something) (transitive verb)
This verb means to actively make something cold; it requires a direct object.
飲み物を冷やす (nomimono o hiyasu) — to chill drinks
頭を冷やす (atama o hiyasu) — to cool one's head, to calm down
冷やかす (hi.yakasu) — to tease, to make fun of This is a more figurative usage, implying a 'cold' or 'indifferent' teasing, often playful but sometimes mocking.
彼を冷やかす (kare o hiyakasu) — to tease him
結婚する二人を冷やかす (kekkon suru futari o hiyakasu) — to tease the couple getting married
冷や (hi.ya) — cold (especially sake served at room temperature or chilled)
Used as a noun, particularly for sake served at room temperature or slightly chilled, as opposed to heated (熱燗 - atsu-kan).
冷やで一杯 (hiya de ippai) — a cup of cold sake
冷やごはん (hiyagohan) — cold rice
冷ます (sa.masu) — to cool down (something hot), to let cool (transitive verb)
This verb specifically means to cool something that was previously hot, bringing its temperature down.
熱い料理を冷ます (atsui ryouri o samasu) — to cool down hot food
興奮を冷ます (koufun o samasu) — to cool one's excitement
冷める (sa.meru) — to cool down (from being hot), to get cold (intransitive verb)
Similar to 冷える, this verb is often used for things that have lost their heat or intensity. It can also mean to lose interest or passion.
- 情熱が冷める (jounetsu ga sameru) — one's passion cools down
- コーヒーが冷めてしまった (koohii ga samete shimatta) — The coffee has gotten cold.
Common Words & Compounds
To help you memorize and understand, here are more common words and compounds using 冷, grouped by theme.
Temperature & Environment
- 冷気 (reiki) — cold air, chill
Refers to the sensation or presence of cold air, often describing a draft or unheated space.
- 冷水 (reisui) — cold water
A direct term for water that is cold, commonly found in phrases like 'hot and cold water'.
- 冷凍 (reitou) — freezing, refrigeration
Often used in contexts of food preservation, such as 'frozen food' (冷凍食品).
- 冷害 (reigai) — cold-weather damage
Damage caused to crops or agriculture by unusually cold temperatures.
- 冷夏 (reika) — cool summer
A summer season that is unusually cool for the typical climate.
Emotions & Interpersonal Reactions
- 冷戦 (reisen) — Cold War
A historical term referring to a state of political hostility between countries, characterized by threats and propaganda rather than open warfare.
- 冷淡 (reitan) — cold, indifferent, apathetic
Describes a lack of warmth or emotion in a person's character or actions.
- 冷遇 (reiguu) — cold reception, neglect, poor treatment
To treat someone poorly or with indifference, giving them a 'cold' welcome or service.
- 冷血 (reiketsu) — cold-bloodedness, mercilessness
Often used to describe a person who lacks compassion or empathy, acting without feeling.
- 冷徹 (reitetsu) — cold-blooded, ruthless, dispassionate
Describes a person who remains calm and unswayed by emotion, acting decisively, sometimes to the point of being ruthless.
Food & Drink
- 冷たい飲み物 (tsumetai nomimono) — cold drink
A general term for any beverage served cold.
- 冷奴 (hiyayakko) — chilled tofu
A popular Japanese dish consisting of chilled tofu served with various toppings.
Example Sentences
この部屋は冷房がよく効いていて、とても涼しいです。
Kono heya wa reibou ga yoku kiiteite, totemo suzushii desu.
This room's air conditioning works well; it's very cool.
夏には冷たいビールが最高ですね。
Natsu ni wa tsumetai biiru ga saikou desu ne.
In summer, a cold beer is the best, isn't it?
頭を冷やして、もう一度よく考えてみてください。
Atama o hiyashite, mou ichido yoku kangaete mite kudasai.
Cool your head and think carefully one more time.
彼の冷静な判断が、事態を悪化させなかった。
Kare no reisei na handan ga, jitai o akka sasenakatta.
His calm judgment prevented the situation from worsening.
熱い料理は少し冷ましてからお召し上がりください。
Atsui ryouri wa sukoshi samashite kara omeshiagari kudasai.
Please eat the hot dish after letting it cool down a bit.
冷蔵庫にデザートが入っていますよ。
Reizouko ni dezaato ga haitteimasu yo.
The dessert is in the refrigerator.
この部屋は夜になるとぐっと冷えるから、暖かくしてね。
Kono heya wa yoru ni naru to gutto hieru kara, atatakaku shite ne.
This room gets quite cold at night, so stay warm.
なぜか、彼はいつも私を冷やかすのが好きです。
Nazeka, kare wa itsumo watashi o hiyakasu no ga suki desu.
For some reason, he always likes to tease me.
お茶が冷めてしまったので、もう一度入れ直しましょう。
Ocha ga samete shimatta node, mou ichido irenaoshimashou.
The tea has gotten cold, so let's make a fresh pot.
彼女は彼に対して、冷たい視線を送った。
Kanojo wa kare ni taishite, tsumetai shisen o okutta.
She gave him a cold look.
Memory Tip
To remember 冷, focus on its two main components. On the left, 冫 (にすい) is the 'ice' radical, two drops of water indicating liquid turning to ice, representing coldness. On the right is 令 (れい), which means 'order' or 'command.'
You can visualize a story: The ice (冫) was commanded (令) to make everything cold. Or, imagine a strict order (令) imposed by the biting cold (冫), forcing everything to become still and frigid. This connection between the visual elements and the core meaning of cold or cool helps solidify 冷 in your memory.