涼しさ
suzushisa
The Japanese word for coolness is 涼しさ (suzushisa).
涼しさ is primarily used to describe the sensation of a cool breeze or the refreshing quality of a cool environment. It refers specifically to the pleasantness of a cool temperature.
Meaning: calmness, confidence, level-headedness (noun)
Which one should you use?
While the English word 'coolness' can refer to a person's social attitude or style, the Japanese 涼しさ (suzushisa) refers specifically to the pleasantness of a cool temperature.
How do you pronounce it?
suzushisa
Did you know?
- The concept of 'coolness' as a seasonal aesthetic is celebrated in Japan through 涼 (ryō), which appears in traditional customs like hanging wind chimes to create a psychological feeling of coolness.
- Japanese has a specific term 涼む (suzumu) which means the act of seeking coolness, such as sitting in the shade or by a stream.
- While 涼しさ (suzushisa) describes a pleasant temperature, describing a person's personality as 'cool' using temperature-related words can actually imply they are emotionally cold or detached.
Examples in context
- 彼の新しい車は本当にカッコいいですね。His new car is really cool, isn't it?
- 彼女はいつもクールでかっこいいです。She's always cool and good-looking.
- その新しいバンドの音楽は本当にイケてるよ！The music of that new band is really cool!
- あの人のスタイルはカッチョイイね！That person's style is really cool!
Example conversation
Yui and Kenta are talking about a colleague who stayed calm during a crisis.
- 結衣 Yui彼、あんな状況で本当に冷静だったね。kare, anna joukyou de hontou ni reisei datta ne.He was really calm in that situation, wasn't he?
- 健太 Kentaうん。あの涼しさはすごいよ。un. ano suzushisa wa sugoi yo.Yeah. That coolness is impressive.
- 結衣 Yui私ならきっとパニックになっていたわ。watashi nara kitto panikku ni natte ita wa.I probably would have panicked.
- 健太 Kenta僕も同じだと思うよ。boku mo onaji da to omou yo.I think I would have too.
