냉온
naeng-on
The Korean phrase for hot and cold is 냉온 (naeng-on).
냉온 is a term used to describe both cold and hot temperatures. It is most commonly seen on water dispensers or machines as part of the phrase 냉온수, which means hot and cold water.
Which one should you use?
While 냉온 describes the availability of both temperatures, in everyday speech, people more frequently use the separate words 차갑고 뜨거운 (cold and hot) to describe sensations.
How do you pronounce it?
naeng-on
Did you know?
- Korean differentiates between 'cold' as in ice 차갑다 and 'cold' as in weather 춥다, but 냉온 bypasses this by using formal Chinese-derived roots.
- While 냉온 is perfect for a machine label, if you were describing a person's personality, you would never use it. To describe someone who is emotionally hot and cold, Koreans use different idiomatic expressions entirely.
- The word 냉 (cold) is used in the term 냉정하다 to describe someone who is 'cold-hearted' or clinical in their logic.
Examples in context
- 냉온 조절 버튼이 어디에 있어요?naengon jojeol beotuni eodie isseoyo?Where is the hot and cold control button?
- 냉온 기능이 있는 정수기예요.naengon gineungi inneun jeongsugiyeyo.It is a water dispenser with hot and cold functions.
- 냉온수 선택을 확인하세요.naengonsu seontaek-eul hwaginhaseyo.Please check the hot and cold water selection.
Example conversation
Dohyeon and Jieun are in an office looking for a water dispenser.
- 도현 Do-hyeon지은 씨, 냉온 기능이 있는 정수기가 어디 있죠?Jieun ssi, naengon gineungi inneun jeongsugiga eodi ijyo?Jieun, where is the water dispenser with hot and cold functions?
- 지은 Ji-eun저기 탕비실에 냉온 정수기가 있어요.Jeogi tangbisire naengon jeongsugiga isseoyo.There is a hot and cold dispenser in the pantry over there.
- 도현 Do-hyeon고마워요. 냉온수 조절이 잘 되나요?Gomawoyo. Naengonsu jojeori jal doenayo?Thank you. Does the hot and cold water control work well?
- 지은 Ji-eun네, 아주 잘 돼요.Ne, aju jal dwaeyo.Yes, it works very well.
