Ways to say it
| Korean | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 춥다 | chupda | [t͡ɕʰup̚t͈a̠] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
| 차다 | chada | [t͡ɕʰa̠da̠] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
| 차갑다 | chagapda | [t͡ɕʰa̠ɡa̠p̚t͈a̠] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
The term 'cold' in Korean is split between describing the ambient temperature of the weather and the physical temperature of objects. Use 춥다 to describe the weather or the air temperature. For the temperature of a physical object, such as water or a metal surface, use 차갑다 or 차다.
Which one should you use?
Use 춥다 specifically for weather or ambient air temperature. For tactile sensations involving objects, use 차갑다 or 차다.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The dictionary form 춥다 is commonly used in written communication. In polite, everyday spoken Korean, 춥다 changes to 추워요 to say 'It's cold'. Similarly, the dictionary form 차갑다 changes to 차가워요 when used in polite spoken Korean.
How do you pronounce it?
chupda
What mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid using 차갑다 to describe the weather. This is a common error for English speakers. Instead, use 춥다 for weather or air temperature.
Did you know?
- The word 차다 is a homonym with several other meanings. Depending on the context, it can also mean 'to kick' or 'to be full'.
- The word 차갑다 can describe a person's personality. It refers to someone who is emotionally distant or 'cold-hearted'.
- In Middle Korean, the word for 'cold' was recorded as 칩다, which sounds quite different from the modern way of saying 춥다.
Examples in context
- 오늘 아침은 유독 춥다.It is especially cold this morning.This sentence uses 춥다 to describe the morning weather.Tatoeba #13118829 by romzzo, translation #242223 by CK
- 너무 춥다.It's pretty cold.This sentence uses 춥다 to express how cold it is.Tatoeba #11105513 by intertime, translation #63615 by CK
- 오늘은 존나 춥다.Today is fucking cold.This sentence uses 춥다 to express the coldness of the day with strong emphasis.Tatoeba #6305370 by Queserasera, translation #1446102 by gracehero
- 오늘 날씨가 추워요.Today's weather is cold.
- 나 지금 추워.I feel cold right now.
- 아이들이 춥습니다.The kids are cold.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Dohyun and Jieun are meeting outside in the winter.
- 도현 Do-hyeon지은 씨, 오늘 정말 춥다!Jieun ssi, oneul jeongmal chupda!Jieun, it's really cold today!
- 지은 Ji-eun맞아요. 바람이 너무 많이 불어요.Majayo. barami neomu mani bureoyo.You're right. The wind is blowing so much.
- 도현 Do-hyeon따뜻한 커피 마시러 갈까요?Tattuthan keopi masireo galkkayo?Shall we go drink some warm coffee?
- 지은 Ji-eun좋아요. 빨리 들어가요.Joayo. ppalli deureogayo.Sounds good. Let's go inside quickly.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “cold” translations and entries 춥다, 차다, 차갑다, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 차갑다, 차다, 춥다, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
