kylmä
/ˈkylmæ/
In Finnish, the adjective for cold is kylmä.
kylmä is used to describe something that has a low temperature. Related nouns include kylmyys or kylmä to refer to the state of low temperature itself, and pakkanen to refer specifically to freezing temperatures.
Meaning: having a low temperature (adj)
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
When using the adjective in a possessive construction or certain prepositional phrases, it takes the genitive form kylmän. To describe being in the cold or within a cold place, use the inessive form kylmässä.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈkylmæ/
Did you know?
- The word kylmä shares an ancient root with the Proto-Balto-Slavic word *gélmō, suggesting that the concept of 'cold' has a deep linguistic connection across Northern Europe.
- The concept of 'cold' in Finnish culture is often tied to the word sauna, where the transition from extreme 'kylmä' to intense heat is a fundamental cultural experience.
- Using the noun pakkanen implies a temperature that has actually dropped below zero, whereas kylmä is a subjective feeling of temperature.
Examples in context
- Se ei ole kylmä.It's not cold.This sentence demonstrates a negation of the adjective kylmä.Tatoeba #10631551 by Johannes_S, translation #486829 by qdii
- Tuo seinä on kylmä.That wall is cold.This sentence identifies a specific object as being kylmä.Tatoeba #3205535 by Silja, translation #1622694 by CM
- On ihan vitun kylmä!It's so fucking cold!This sentence shows an emphatic use of the word kylmä.Tatoeba #2670465 by Silja, translation #856079 by heffeque
- Päivä on kylmä.The day is cold.
- Huone on kylmä.The room is cold.
- Tunnen itseni todella viluiseksi.I feel really cold (shivery).
- 192 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Juho and Anna are preparing for a walk outside.
- JuhoOnko ulkona kylmä?Is it cold outside?
- AnnaKyllä, on aika kylmä.Yes, it is quite cold.
- JuhoOta paksu takki mukaan.Take a thick jacket with you.
- AnnaKiitos, Juho.Thanks, Juho.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “cold” translations and entries kylmä, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries kylmä, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
