koel
/kul/
The Dutch word for cool (in terms of temperature) is koel. Wiktionary also lists fris.
Meaning: having a slightly low temperature (adj)
Ways to say it
| Dutch | IPA |
|---|---|
| koel | /kul/ |
| fris | /frɪs/ |
In Dutch, koel is used to describe a temperature that is slightly below room temperature or a physical sensation of coolness. While Dutch speakers often use the English loanword 'cool' to mean something is fashionable or great, the Dutch word koel itself is not used as slang for that meaning.
Which one should you use?
Use koel when referring to a temperature that is slightly below room temperature or a physical sensation of coolness. Use fris to describe weather or air that is cool and refreshing, which often implies a pleasant or brisk sensation.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
/kul/
Did you know?
- If a Dutch person describes a person's behavior as koel, they are not calling them fashionable but are suggesting the person is distant or unfriendly.
- The word fris is a shortened version of the word for 'soft drink', which is frisdrank.
- The word fris is often used as a polite euphemism when describing a bedroom or a house that is too cold, implying it is merely refreshing rather than freezing.
Examples in context
- De herfst is fris.Autumn is cool.This sentence shows how to describe the autumn using fris.Tatoeba #12216810 by Ag12x, translation #11043569 by CK
- Het is fris vandaag.It's cool today.This sentence uses fris to describe the current weather.Tatoeba #377919 by Dorenda, translation #242990 by CK
- Houd het hoofd koel.Keep a cool head.This sentence uses koel in the context of keeping a cool head.Tatoeba #1478081 by Citrine, translation #1476447 by Spamster
- Dat is een geweldig idee!That is a great idea!
- Je nieuwe auto is echt gaaf!Your new car is really cool!
- Die film was echt vet!That movie was really cool!
- Wat een tof feestje gisteren!What a cool party yesterday!
- 16 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Emma and Daan are sitting on a terrace in the evening.
- EmmaIs het niet koel buiten?Is it not cool outside?
- DaanJa, de avond is behoorlijk koel.Yes, the evening is quite cool.
- EmmaZal ik een jasje voor je pakken, Daan?Shall I grab a jacket for you, Daan?
- DaanDat is lief van je, Emma.That is sweet of you, Emma.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “cool” translations and entries koel, fris, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries fris, koel, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
