kold
/kɒl/
The Danish word for cold is kold.
kold is an adjective used to describe things with a low temperature. You can also use it to describe a person's temperament, such as a cold person.
Meaning: having a low temperature (adj)
Which one should you use?
The adjective kold is used to describe qualities, whereas kulde is the noun used to refer to the state of being cold or the cold weather itself. You can also use the related noun forkølelse to refer to an illness like a cold or the flu.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective changes form based on the noun it describes. It takes the form koldt when describing a neuter noun or when used as a weather adverb (for example, to say 'it is cold'). The form kolde is used when describing plural nouns or definite nouns.
How do you pronounce it?
/kɒl/
Did you know?
- In Danish, you can describe a person as kold i røven (cold in the ass) to say they are incredibly calm or indifferent under pressure.
- The noun for a cold illness, forkølelse, literally translates to a 'cooling' or 'getting cold', reflecting the ancient belief that the illness was caused by the body losing heat.
- In Danish, the phrase at have kolde fødder (to have cold feet) is used exactly like the English idiom to describe someone who is nervous or hesitant about a commitment.
Examples in context
- Den væg er kold.That wall is cold.This sentence demonstrates the use of kold to describe a wall.Tatoeba #3611713 by danepo, translation #1622694 by CM
- Hvor er det koldt!How cold it is!This sentence shows the adverbial use of the form koldt to describe the weather.Tatoeba #1740554 by danepo, translation #36094 by Zifre
- Denne væg er kold.This wall is cold.This sentence shows the use of kold to describe a wall.Tatoeba #3611720 by danepo, translation #1622693 by CM
- Vær opmærksom på kulden.Be mindful of the cold.
- Det er godt nok køligt udenfor!It's quite chilly outside!
- Vil du have en kold øl?Do you want a cold beer?
- Jeg er helt frysende!I'm freezing cold!
- 80 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Noah and Mette are talking about the weather in the morning.
- NoahEr luften kold i dag?Is the air cold today?
- MetteJa, det er en kold morgen.Yes, it is a cold morning.
- NoahJeg har brug for en varm jakke.I need a warm jacket.
- MetteDet har jeg også, Noah.I do too, Noah.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “cold” translations and entries kold, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
