JLPT N3 Vocabulary – Difference between “冷める” and “冷える”
目次
1. Difference between “冷める” and “冷える“
2. 冷める
3. 冷える
4. Let’s Compare: ① Temperature
5. Let’s Compare: ② Emotions & Relationships
6. Summary
7. Quiz
8. Similar Articles
9. Comment
Q: Are “冷める” and “冷える” different?
A: Both indicate a decrease in temperature or state, but their usage and context differ. Let’s take a closer look at each.
冷める (JLPT N3)
[Meaning]
① The temperature of something heated drops; something hot loses its heat
② Emotions or interest fade
[Verb Type]
Transitive verb
[Examples]
あたたかったスープが冷めてしまいました。（①）
The warm soup has cooled down.
大好きだった彼への気持ちが冷めました。（②）
My feelings for him, whom I once loved, have faded.
冷える (JLPT N3)
[Meaning]
① The temperature drops from its original state, losing warmth
② A previously good relationship deteriorates; economic conditions worsen, indicating a recession
[Verb Type]
Intransitive verb
[Examples]
寒さで体が冷えてしまいました。（①）
My body has gotten cold due to the cold weather.
夫婦の関係は完全に冷えています。（②）
The relationship between the husband and wife has completely deteriorated.
Let’s Compare: ① Temperature
“冷める” refers to the loss of heat from something that was originally hot, such as food or drinks. It is primarily used for cooked dishes, beverages, and other heated items.
On the other hand, “冷える” describes a decrease in temperature due to external factors like cold weather. It is used for air temperature, environment, and body conditions.
[Examples]
あたたかったスープが冷めてしまいました。
The warm soup has got cold.
⇒ The warm soup has lost its heat.
お茶が冷めたのであたためました。
The tea got cold, so I reheated it.
⇒ The hot tea’s temperature dropped.
寒さで体が冷えてしまったよ。
My body got cold due to the cold weather.
⇒ The body temperature has dropped below its original level.
夜になると気温が冷えるのであたたかくしましょう。
At night, the temperature drops, so let’s keep warm.
⇒ At night, the air temperature gradually decreases from its original level.
Let’s Compare: ② Emotions & Relationships
Not only does this apply to physical states of people and objects, but “冷める” and “冷える” can also be used metaphorically to describe feelings and relationships.
“冷める” is used when emotions or interests fade. Common words that pair with it include excitement, feelings, passion, and love.
[Examples]
明日の祭りをとても楽しみにしていたのに、中止と聞いて一気に興奮が冷めました。
I was really looking forward to tomorrow’s festival, but when I heard it was canceled, my excitement immediately faded.
⇒ This means that the anticipation disappeared all at once.
夫への愛情が冷めたので離婚を決めました。
My love for my husband faded, so I decided to get a divorce.
⇒ This expresses that the love for the husband has disappeared.
× 夫への愛情が冷えたので離婚を決めました。
⇒ “冷える” is used when a relationship deteriorates or a psychological distance forms.
If love disappears (i.e., the feeling is lost), “冷める” is the correct choice.
On the other hand, “冷える” is not used for emotional changes but rather for the deterioration of relationships or atmosphere.
It is especially used in situations where a close relationship becomes distant or trust weakens.
[Example]
両国の関係は冷え込んでいます。
The relationship between the two countries has cooled down.
⇒ This indicates that relations between the two countries have worsened, leading to a decline in diplomatic exchanges and cooperation.
Summary
[冷める]
- Indicates the loss of heat from hot food or drinks.
- It is also used to express the fading of emotions or loss of interest.
[冷える]
- Used for temperature, environment, and body conditions, describing how external factors like cold weather cause a drop in normal temperature.
- It is also used to express the deterioration of human relationships.
Quiz
Read the following sentence and choose the expression that fits the context from the options provided in the parentheses.
Click on the question to check the answer.
A. 冷めて
熱い酒が冷めてまずくなりました。
The hot sake got cold and became unappetizing.
*Since the temperature of the hot sake dropped, “冷めて” is the correct choice.
A. 冷えた
寒さで体が冷えたのでお風呂に入りました。
My body got cold due to the cold weather, so I took a bath.
*Since the body temperature dropped from its original state, ” 冷えた” is the correct choice.
A. 冷め
大好きなアイドルが結婚して気持ちが冷めました。
I lost my feelings for my favorite idol after they got married.
*Since this expresses the loss of feelings, “冷めた” is the correct choice.
A. 冷えて
数年前に親と大きなけんかをしてから、ずっと関係が冷えています。
Ever since I had a big argument with my parent years ago, our relationship has remained cold.
*Since this expresses a deterioration in the relationship, “冷えて” is the correct choice.
