Meaning
The kanji 凍 (tō, kōru) primarily conveys the meaning of "to freeze," "to be frozen," "to congeal," or "chilly." This character is fundamental for discussing weather, food preservation, and physical sensations of coldness in Japanese. Its core meaning directly relates to the transformation of liquids into solids due to low temperatures, or the sensation of extreme cold affecting living beings.
Like many kanji, 凍 is a 形声文字 (keisei moji), a phono-semantic compound character. It comprises two parts: the radical 冫 (nisui) on the left, and the phonetic component 東 (higashi) on the right. The radical 冫, also known as the "ice radical" or "two drops of water" radical, is a variant of 氷 (kōri, ice) or 水 (mizu, water) when used on the left side of a character. Its presence immediately signals that the kanji's meaning is related to cold, ice, or freezing temperatures. The right part, 東 (higashi), meaning "east," provides the on'yomi reading "tō." While its primary role is phonetic, it might subtly suggest a sense of rigidity or solidity.
Thus, the visual form of 凍 effectively conveys its meaning: the 冫 radical directly points to the concept of cold or ice, making it intuitive for learners. This Joyo Kanji has 10 strokes and is typically introduced in Junior High as part of the N3 JLPT curriculum. Grasping this kanji is key to understanding a broad spectrum of vocabulary related to climate, cooking, and daily life in Japan.
Readings
On'yomi (音読み) — Chinese-derived readings
The On'yomi reading for 凍 is トウ (TŌ). This reading, derived from ancient Chinese pronunciation, is predominantly used when 凍 appears as part of a compound word (熟語, jukugo) with other kanji. It often signifies a more formal, technical, or abstract sense of freezing or congelation.
- 冷凍 (reitō) — freezing; refrigeration. This is a very common term, especially in contexts of food storage. For example, 冷凍食品 (reitō shokuhin) means "frozen food."
- 凍結 (tōketsu) — freezing; suspension; congealment. This term can refer to literal freezing (e.g., pipes freezing) or more abstract concepts like the freezing of assets or suspension of activities.
- 解凍 (kaitō) — thawing; defrosting. The character 解 (kai) means "to undo" or "to solve," so 解凍 literally means "to undo freezing." This is used for defrosting frozen food, among other applications.
Kun'yomi (訓読み) — Native Japanese readings
The Kun'yomi readings of 凍 are native Japanese pronunciations. These are typically used when the kanji stands alone or is part of a native Japanese verb or adjective, often accompanied by okurigana (送り仮名). They tend to convey more direct, often sensory, meanings of freezing.
- 凍る (kō.ru) — (intransitive verb) to freeze (solid); to be frozen. As the most common Kun'yomi, this describes a liquid turning into ice or something becoming stiff with cold. For example, 水が凍る (mizu ga kōru) means "water freezes."
- 凍える (kogo.eru) — (intransitive verb) to freeze (of body parts); to be numb with cold. This reading specifically refers to the sensation of cold affecting living beings, often describing hands, feet, or the entire body feeling frozen. For instance, 手が凍える (te ga kogoeru) means "one's hands are frozen (with cold)."
- 凍てる (i.teru) — (intransitive verb) to freeze; to be covered with frost. This reading is less common in modern colloquial Japanese and carries a slightly more literary or archaic feel. It often appears in descriptions of landscapes or natural phenomena touched by frost.
- 凍みる (shi.miru) — (intransitive verb) to pierce; to penetrate (with cold); to feel a penetrating chill. While 沁みる is more commonly used for this meaning, 凍みる also exists. It conveys the sense of cold deeply permeating or piercing through something or someone, emphasizing the intensity of the cold sensation.
Common Words & Compounds
Below, you'll find common words and compounds featuring the kanji 凍, categorized by their usage and nuance:
Food and Refrigeration:
冷凍 (reitō) — freezing, refrigeration. Essential for food preservation.
冷凍庫 (reitōko) — freezer. The appliance where things are kept frozen.
冷凍食品 (reitō shokuhin) — frozen food. A common sight in supermarkets.
解凍 (kaitō) — thawing, defrosting. The process of returning frozen items to a usable state.
急速冷凍 (kyūsoku reitō) — flash freezing, rapid freezing. A technique used to preserve freshness.
State of Freezing and Coldness:
凍結 (tōketsu) — freezing; congealment; suspension. Can refer to water freezing or, in a broader sense, the halting of an action or account.
凍死 (tōshi) — death from freezing, freezing to death. A tragic outcome of extreme cold exposure.
凍傷 (tōshō) — frostbite. Injury caused by freezing of body tissues.
厳冬 (gentō) — severe winter. A winter characterized by exceptionally cold temperatures.
凍り付く (kogoritsuku) — to freeze solid; to be paralyzed (with fear). Can be literal or metaphorical.
Verbs for Freezing:
凍る (kōru) — to freeze (intransitive). Used when something itself becomes frozen. 例: 湖が凍る (mizuumi ga kōru - the lake freezes).
凍らす (kōrasu) — to freeze (something) (transitive). Used when one intentionally freezes something. 例: 肉を凍らす (niku o kōrasu - to freeze meat).
凍える (kogoeru) — to freeze (of body parts), to be numb with cold (intransitive). Focuses on the physical sensation of cold. 例: 寒さで足が凍える (samusa de ashi ga kogoeru - my feet are freezing from the cold).
Example Sentences
今夜はとても寒いので水が凍るかもしれません。
Kon'ya wa totemo samui node mizu ga kōru kamoshiremasen.
It's very cold tonight, so the water might freeze.
外は風が強くて体が凍えそうだった。
Soto wa kaze ga tsuyokute karada ga kogoe-sō datta.
The wind was strong outside, and my body felt like it was freezing.
冷凍食品は忙しい日にとても便利です。
Reitō shokuhin wa isogashii hi ni totemo benri desu.
Frozen food is very convenient on busy days.
電子レンジで肉を解凍しました。
Denshi renji de niku o kaitō shimashita.
I defrosted the meat in the microwave.
冬には水道管の凍結に注意してください。
Fuyu ni wa suidōkan no tōketsu ni chūi shite kudasai.
Please be careful about water pipes freezing in winter.
山で道に迷った旅行者は凍死したと報じられました。
Yama de michi ni mayotta ryokōsha wa tōshi shita to hōjiraremashita.
It was reported that the traveler who got lost in the mountains froze to death.
寒い夜は凍った道で滑りやすいので気をつけて。
Samui yoru wa kōtta michi de suberiyasui node ki o tsukete.
On cold nights, be careful because the frozen roads are slippery.
この地域では厳冬が続くことが予想されています。
Kono chiiki de wa gentō ga tsuzuku koto ga yosō sarete imasu.
A severe winter is expected to continue in this region.
彼は突然の質問に凍り付いたかのようだった。
Kare wa totsuzen no shitsumon ni kogoritsuita ka no yō datta.
He seemed as if he had frozen in response to the sudden question.
夏には氷をたくさん作るために水を凍らせます。
Natsu ni wa koori o takusan tsukuru tame ni mizu o koorasemasu.
In summer, I freeze a lot of water to make ice.
Memory Tip
To remember the kanji 凍, focus on its two main components. On the left, you'll see the 冫 radical, known as the "ice" radical. It visually resembles two drops of water, indicating liquid, but when positioned as a radical on the left, it consistently signifies cold or ice. Imagine it as water that has become so cold it's almost solid.
To the right is 東, meaning "east." Picture a bitterly cold wind blowing from the east, causing everything it touches to freeze solid. These two elements—"ice" (冫) and the direction "east" (東)—combine to form "freeze." You might also visualize a vast, frozen eastern landscape, or even a solid block of ice that points east on a compass, reinforcing the idea of things turning hard and cold.