Guide on How to Say “Cold” in Chinese

When it comes to the word “cold” in Chinese, there are various ways to express this concept depending on the region and formality level. In this comprehensive guide, we will explore both formal and informal ways of saying “cold” in Chinese, providing you with tips, examples, and regional variations.

Formal Ways to Say “Cold”

If you want to express “cold” in a more formal way, consider using the following Chinese words:

1. Lěng (冷): This is the most common and straightforward word for “cold” in Mandarin Chinese. It can be used in both literal and figurative senses. For example: – Literal: “The weather is cold today” can be translated as “Jīntiān tiānqì hěn lěng” (今天天气很冷). – Figurative: “I caught a cold” can be translated as “Wǒ bā bù zhòng” (我感冒了), where “gǎnmào” (感冒) means “to catch a cold” in a formal way.

2. Kù (酷): This term is more commonly used to describe a “cold” or “cool” temperature in a formal setting, such as weather forecasts or scientific discussions. For example: – “The temperature dropped, and it is quite cold today” can be translated as “Wēndù xiàdiē, jīntiān hěn kù” (温度下跌，今天很酷). – “The Arctic has extremely cold weather” can be translated as “Běihǎi jìngrán shì gè kù de dìqū” (北海极然是个酷的地区).

Informal Ways to Say “Cold”

When it comes to informal speech or daily conversations, Chinese people tend to use different expressions for “cold.” Here are some common informal ways:

1. Liáng (凉): This word is often used to describe a mild or cool temperature in a casual context. For example: – “The wind is cool today” can be translated as “Jīntiān fēng hěn liáng” (今天风很凉). – “This ice cream is refreshing in this hot weather” can be translated as “Zhè ge bīngqílín zài zhè ge rèzi hěn liáng” (这个冰淇淋在这个热子很凉).

2. Bīng (冰): This term is often used to express a freezing or icy cold feeling. It can be used in various contexts, such as weather, drinks, or feelings. For example: – “The water in the pool is really cold” can be translated as “PengQìzhong de shuǐ hěn bīng” (泳池中的水很冰). – “I’m feeling cold” can be translated as “Wǒ juéde hěn bīng” (我觉得很冰).

Regional Variations

While Mandarin Chinese is the most widely spoken language in China, there are also regional variations when it comes to expressing “cold.” Here are a couple of examples:

1. Suzhou Dialect: In the Suzhou dialect, the word for “cold” is pronounced as “liǎu” (凉). This is a regional variation commonly heard in the Suzhou area of Jiangsu province.

2. Cantonese: In Cantonese, spoken mainly in the southern parts of China, including Hong Kong and Guangdong province, the word for “cold” is pronounced as “fung” (凤). It is worth noting that Cantonese has its own unique pronunciation and vocabulary compared to Mandarin Chinese.

Tips and Examples

Here are some additional tips and examples to enhance your understanding of how to use “cold” in Chinese:

1. Use context clues: Depending on the situation, you may need to provide additional information to clarify whether you are referring to the weather, an object’s temperature, or someone’s health.
2. Be aware of cultural differences: Chinese people may have differing views on what is considered “cold” depending on their region. For example, people from northern China may have a higher tolerance for colder temperatures compared to those from southern China.
3. Learn the different tones: Mandarin Chinese is a tonal language, so the tones you use to pronounce the word “cold” can change the meaning. Be sure to pay attention to the correct tones to avoid misunderstandings.

Now, let’s see some additional examples:

– “It’s so cold outside today! I should wear a thick coat.” can be translated as “Jīntiān wài miàn hěn lěng! Wǒ yīnggāi chuān yī jiàn dàyī” (今天外面很冷! 我应该穿一件大衣). – “I don’t like cold drinks, I prefer warm tea.” can be translated as “Wǒ bù xǐhuān lěng de yǐnliào, wǒ xǐhuān nuǎn de chá” (我不喜欢冷的饮料，我喜欢暖的茶).