추워요
chuwoyo
In Korean, "it is cold" is 추워요 (chuwoyo).
This phrase is used to describe the feeling of low temperature in the air or environment. You can make the meaning stronger by adding 정말 (really) before the phrase to say "really cold."
Which one should you use?
While 추워요 describes the weather or the ambient temperature, it is also used to describe a person feeling cold personally. Do not confuse this with 차갑다, which is used to express that something is cold as opposed to the weather.
How does it change in a sentence?
The dictionary form of the verb is 춥다.
How do you pronounce it?
chuwoyo
What mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid using 차갑다 to describe the weather. This word is used for the physical touch of cold objects, whereas 춥다 is for the air/environment.
Did you know?
- To express that it is 'freezing', Koreans often use the word 얼어 죽겠다, which literally translates to 'I'm freezing to death'.
- Korean has specific words for different levels of 'coldness' based on how the cold hits you. While 춥다 is for the air, 시리다 is a specialized word used for a stinging, aching cold, such as when your teeth or fingers feel frozen.
- When you want to say it is 'very cold', Koreans often use the word 너무 (too) instead of 'really'. While 'too' usually implies a negative excess in English, in modern Korean it is perfectly natural and common to use 너무 for emphasis.
Examples in context
- 음식이 차갑다The food is cold
- 오늘 날씨 정말 추워요.Today's weather is really cold.
- 밖이 너무 추워요.bak-i neomu chuwoyo.It is too cold outside.
- 방 안이 좀 추워요.bang an-i jom chuwoyo.It is a bit cold inside the room.
- 오늘 날씨가 정말 추워요.oneul nalssi-ga jeongmal chuwoyo.The weather is really cold today.
Example conversation
Hyunwoo and Seoyeon are walking in a park during late autumn.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo서연 씨, 오늘 정말 추워요.Seoyeon ssi, oneul jeongmal chuwoyo.Seoyeon, it is really cold today.
- 서연 Seo-yeon맞아요, 바람이 많이 불어요.ma-jayo, baram-i mani bul-eoyo.True, the wind is blowing a lot.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo코트를 입을 걸 그랬어요.koteureul ib-eul geol geuraesseoyo.I should have worn a coat.
- 서연 Seo-yeon이제 빨리 집으로 가요.ije ppalli jib-euro gayo.Let's go home quickly now.
