JLPT N2・N4 Vocabulary – Difference between “冷える” and “冷やす”

Table of Contents

1. Difference between “冷ひえる” and “冷ひやす”
2. Intransitive and Transitive Verbs
3. 冷ひえる
4. 冷ひやす
5. Summary
6. Quiz
7. Similar Articles
8. Comment

Q: What is the difference between “冷ひえる” and “冷ひやす”?

A: ”冷ひえる” is an intransitive verb and “冷ひやす” 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].

Transitive Verbs

• Indicate intentional actions.
• Involve the ‘agent’ acting upon the ‘object.’
• Often, they are formed as [Doer は Object を Transitive verb].

**However, there are exceptions, so be careful**

冷ひえる (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]
寒さむくて体からだが冷ひえました。
It’s cold and my body got chilled.
⇒ The cold lowered my body temperature.

クーラーで部屋へやが冷ひえました。
The room got cold because of the air conditioner.
⇒ The air conditioner lowered the temperature of the room.

冷ひやす (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みずで冷ひやしました。
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.

暑あついから部屋へやをクーラーで冷ひやそう。　
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.

スープを冷蔵れいぞう庫こに入いれて冷ひやしました。
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.

Summary

冷ひえる

• 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.

冷ひやす

• 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.

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