kalt
/kalt/
The German word for 'cold' is kalt. If unsure, use kalt. Wiktionary also lists koid.
Meaning: having a low temperature (adj)
Ways to say it
| German | IPA |
|---|---|
| kalt | /kalt/ |
| koid |
The adjective kalt is used to describe something having a low temperature. If you wish to refer to 'the cold' as a concept or a state of temperature, you should use the noun Kälte instead.
Which one should you use?
kalt is the standard adjective used to describe a state of being cold, while Kälte is the noun used to name the concept of cold itself.
Is it said differently in some regions?
koid is a dialectal variation used primarily in Bavarian and Austrian German. In Northern Germany, you may encounter the term Schnuddelwetter, which refers to gloomy, drizzly and uncomfortable weather.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
/kalt/
What mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid using the noun Kälte where the adjective kalt is required. For example, do not say Es ist Kälte when you mean 'It is cold'.
Did you know?
- The phrase kalter Hund refers to a specific type of traditional German cake, literally translated as 'cold dog'.
- To express that you feel cold, Germans use the dative case to say Mir ist kalt, which literally translates to 'It is cold to me'.
- In German, saying Ich bin kalt can be interpreted as 'I am a cold person' emotionally, rather than feeling a low temperature.
Examples in context
- Es ist zu kalt.It's too cold.This sentence is useful for expressing that the temperature is too low.Tatoeba #1488311 by Zaghawa, translation #1566162 by marcelostockle
- Es ist so kalt.It's so cold.This sentence is useful for emphasizing how cold it is.Tatoeba #8261400 by Luiaard, translation #6576798 by Eccles17
- Tom mag es kalt.Tom likes it cold.This sentence is useful for describing someone's preference for a low temperature.Tatoeba #10081854 by wolfgangth, translation #1868073 by CK
- Das Wasser ist kalt.The water is cold.
- Mir ist kalt heute.I'm cold today.
- Das Bier ist eiskalt.The beer is ice-cold.
- Es ist kühl draußen.It's cool outside.
- 1187 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Maximilian and Laura are walking outside in the winter.
- MaximilianEs ist wirklich kalt heute, Laura.It is really cold today, Laura.
- LauraJa, Maximilian, ich brauche meine Jacke.Yes, Maximilian, I need my jacket.
- MaximilianSoll ich dir helfen?Should I help you?
- LauraDanke, das ist sehr lieb von dir.Thanks, that is very sweet of you.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “cold” translations and entries kalt, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
