涼しくしてね
suzushiku shitene
To say "stay cool" in Japanese, use 涼しくしてね (suzushiku shitene).
The phrase 涼しくしてね is used specifically to advise someone to take physical measures, such as using air conditioning or drinking plenty of water, to avoid overheating or heatstroke during hot weather.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the adverbial form of the adjective suzushii (cool), the verb suru (to do/make) and the particle ne, which acts as a softening tag.
Which one should you use?
While 涼しくしてね is a wish for someone to maintain a low body temperature, the phrase クールでいてよ means "Be cool" in a different sense.
How do you pronounce it?
suzushiku shitene
Did you know?
- The physical need to suzushiku shite is so culturally ingrained that Japan has a specific tradition called suzumi, which is the act of seeking out cool air or breezes during the night to escape the summer heat.
- The phrase 涼しくしてね is not just a polite wish but is often treated as a serious health precaution to prevent 'heatstroke' (netsuchusho) during Japan's intense summers.
- Because the verb suru in suzushiku shite ne means 'to make', the phrase can be used to tell someone to literally turn on the air conditioner or a fan.
Examples in context
- 涼しくしていてね！Stay cool!
- 今日は暑いから、涼しくしてね。Kyō wa atsui kara, suzushiku shite ne.It's hot today, so stay cool.
- 熱中症に気をつけて、涼しくしてね。Netchūshō ni ki o tsukete, suzushiku shite ne.Be careful of heatstroke and stay cool.
- 無理しないで、涼しくしてね。Muri shinaide, suzushiku shite ne.Don't overdo it, and stay cool.
Example conversation
Misaki is calling Kenta to check on him during a heatwave.
- 美咲 Misaki健太くん、外はすごく暑いよ。Kenta-kun, soto wa sugoku atsui yo.Kenta, it is very hot outside.
- 健太 Kentaうん、本当に暑いね。Un, hontō ni atsui ne.Yeah, it really is hot.
- 美咲 Misaki体調に気をつけて、涼しくしてね。Taichō ni ki o tsukete, suzushiku shite ne.Take care of yourself and stay cool.
- 健太 Kentaありがとう、気をつけるよ。Arigatō, ki o tsukeru yo.Thanks, I will.
