mir ist kalt
The German phrase for "I am cold" is mir ist kalt.
You use mir ist kalt to express that you are experiencing a low temperature. If you want to emphasize that you are extremely cold or actually shivering, you can use Ich friere.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase literally translates to "to me it is cold." It uses the dative pronoun mir to indicate that the sensation of coldness is being experienced by the speaker.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Bavarian German, you may hear the phrase Mir ist koid to mean the same thing.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase uses the dative case mir because the sensation is something happening to the person, rather than a quality the person possesses.
Did you know?
- While English speakers say 'I am cold', saying Ich bin kalt in German would actually mean 'I am a cold person' (emotionally unfriendly) rather than describing your temperature.
- In some German dialects, the word mir can actually mean 'we' instead of 'me'. This happened through the historical blending of the word wir with preceding verbs.
Examples in context
- Ich glaube, mir ist kalt.I think I am cold.This sentence is useful for expressing a belief that you are feeling cold.Tatoeba #814159 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #436987 by lukaszpp
- Mir ist kalt.I am cold.This is a direct way to state that you are cold.Tatoeba #469788 by mamat, translation #436325 by lukaszpp
- Entschuldigen Sie, aber mir ist kalt. Könnten Sie bitte das Fenster schließen?Excuse me, but I am cold. Could you please close the window?
- Herr Müller, ich friere. Könnten Sie mir bitte eine zusätzliche Decke geben?Mr. Müller, I am freezing. Could you please give me an extra blanket?
- I bin so koid!I am so cold!
Example conversation
Hannah and Lukas are walking outdoors in the evening.
- HannahMir ist kalt, Lukas.I am cold, Lukas.
- LukasSoll ich dir meine Jacke geben?Should I give you my jacket?
- HannahJa, das wäre sehr nett.Yes, that would be very kind.
- LukasHier, zieh sie einfach an.Here, just put it on.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries kalt, mir, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
