気温
kion[kʲiõ̞ɴ]
The English phrase 'temperatures' is translated into Japanese as 気温 (kion).
気温 is used specifically to refer to the measurement of how hot or cold the air is.
What does it mean word for word?
The word is composed of the characters for 'air' (気) and 'temperature' (温), literally meaning 'air temperature'.
Which one should you use?
While 気温 refers specifically to atmospheric or air temperature, the term 温度 is a general word used for the temperature of objects, liquids or bodies.
How does it change in a sentence?
When describing air temperature in Japanese, use the adjective 高い (high) to mean the temperature is high and 低い (low) to mean the temperature is low, rather than using words for 'hot' or 'cold'.
How do you pronounce it?
kion
Did you know?
- The word 気温 first appeared in the mid-19th century in the Seimi Kaisō, a series of texts focused on the emerging science of chemistry.
- Japanese uses the same character for 'air' (気) in 気温 as it does for 'spirit', 'energy' and 'mood'.
- The character 気 in 気温 does not just mean 'air' in a physical sense, but also refers to 'spirit' or 'energy' in many other Japanese contexts.
Examples in context
- 日本では、気温が上昇し続けています。Temperatures are continuing to increase in Japan.This sentence shows the use of 気温 regarding increasing temperatures in Japan.Tatoeba #10068185 by small_snow, translation #10066872 by Amastan
- 今年の冬は、気温が平年より高めです。Temperatures are higher than normal this winter.This sentence illustrates how to use 気温 to compare current winter temperatures to the yearly average.Tatoeba #11169545 by bunbuku, translation #11179099 by CK
- 気温が低くて湿度が潤沢な気候があればといつも思います。I always wish we had a climate with cooler temperatures and ample humidity.This sentence uses 気温 to describe a climate with cooler temperatures.Tatoeba #10079756 by Sim5634, translation #10906185 by SomeHungryBois
- Kyou no kion wa 20-do desu. (今日の気温は20度です。)Today's temperature is 20 degrees.
- Kyo wa sanjuu. (今日は30。)Today is 30 degrees.
- 3 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two people are checking the weather before going for a walk.
- 陽葵 Himari今日の気温はどうなっているかな？Kyou no kion wa dou natte iru kana?I wonder what the temperature is like today?
- 健太 Kenta予報では、今日はかなり高いみたいだよ。Yohou deva, kyou wa kanari takai mitai da yo.According to the forecast, it seems quite high today.
- 陽葵 Himariじゃあ、薄着で行っても大丈夫そうだね。Jaa, usugiki de itte mo daijoubu sou da ne.Then, it looks like it will be fine to dress lightly.
- 健太 Kentaそうだね、歩きやすい格好で行こう。Sou da ne, aruki yasui kakko de ikou.Right, let's go in something comfortable for walking.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 気温, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 気温, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
