JLPT N2・N4 Vocabulary – Difference between “冷える” and “冷やす”
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Table of Contents
1. Difference between “冷える” and “冷やす”
2. Intransitive and Transitive Verbs
3. 冷える
4. 冷やす
5. Summary
6. Quiz
7. Similar Articles
8. Comment
Q: What is the difference between “冷える” and “冷やす”?
A: ”冷える” is an intransitive verb and “冷やす” is a transitive verb. Both describe a state where the temperature of something decreases, but their usage is different.
Intransitive and Transitive Verbs
First, let’s review the differences between intransitive and transitive verbs.
Intransitive Verbs
- Indicate automatic or natural actions.
- Involve the ‘subject’ itself in performing the ‘action.’
- Often, they are formed as [Subject が Intransitive verb].
![](https://enuncia.online/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/f437855a1999ae3d8eab03dc6ebde778.png)
Transitive Verbs
- Indicate intentional actions.
- Involve the ‘agent’ acting upon the ‘object.’
- Often, they are formed as [Doer は Object を Transitive verb].
![](https://enuncia.online/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/71a4a0c9a6ded8566b3bdb10301a0ed5.png)
**However, there are exceptions, so be careful**
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For those who want to learn more
about the differences between
Intransitive and transitive verbs,
please read this article.
冷える (JLPT N4)
This phrase describes the decrease in temperature of something due to cold conditions, unrelated to the speaker’s intent.
It also refers to temperatures naturally dropping from their original state without any action.
[Examples]
寒くて体が冷えました。
It’s cold and my body got chilled.
⇒ The cold lowered my body temperature.
クーラーで部屋が冷えました。
The room got cold because of the air conditioner.
⇒ The air conditioner lowered the temperature of the room.
![](https://enuncia.online/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/76a9f1aa752f43738bcd1243846aaaca.jpg)
冷やす (JLPT N2)
This phrase refers to the intentional action of lowering the temperature using an external force. This action is not naturally occurring but is influenced by the speaker’s intent.
[Examples]
やけどしたところを水で冷やしました。
I cooled the burn with water.
⇒ I used water to lower the temperature of the burn.
Using water was and to cool it was my decision.
暑いから部屋をクーラーで冷やそう。
Let’s cool the room with the air conditioner because it’s hot.
⇒ Turn on the air conditioner to lower the room temperature.
Turning it on is my decision.
スープを冷蔵庫に入れて冷やしました。
I chilled the soup by putting it in the refrigerator.
⇒ I lowered the temperature of the soup in the refrigerator.
Putting it in the fridge was my decision.
![](https://enuncia.online/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/1bfec300c506f367a059e26081851ba9.jpg)
Summary
冷える
- Intransitive verb.
- This phrase refers to the temperature of something decreasing without the influence of the speaker’s intent.
- It also describes the temperature naturally dropping from its original state without any action.
冷やす
- Transitive verb.
- This phrase refers to the speaker’s intent influencing the action, using an external force to lower the temperature of something.
Quiz
Is the verb used in the following sentence an intransitive or a transitive verb?
Click on the question to check the answer.
A.冷やす
ビールを冷蔵庫で冷やすとおいしいです。
Beer is delicious when chilled in the refrigerator.
*Putting beer in the refrigerator is the speaker’s decision.
A. 冷えて
冷たい風で体が冷えてしまいました。
My body got chilled by the cold wind.
*The cold temperature lowers the body temperature.
熱が出たので、氷で頭を冷やしています。
I have a fever, so I’m cooling my head with ice.
*Intentionally cooling it down using a different force (ice).
A. 冷える
料理が冷える・とおいしくないですよ。
Food doesn’t taste good when it gets cold.
*The temperature of the food lowering is a natural process.