When learning Japanese, one thing that often confuses learners is how many different words mean “hot” or “cold.”
In English, we usually say just hot/warm/cold, but in Japanese the nuance depends on what you’re talking about — the air, an object, a person, or even feelings.

Let’s break down the six essential words you’ll hear all the time!

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☀️ 暑あつい — Hot weather / hot air

Use 暑あつい when talking about the temperature of the environment.

• The air is hot
• The weather is hot
• A room feels hot

Examples:

• 今日きょうは暑あついですね。
  It’s hot today, isn’t it?
• 部屋へやが暑あついです。
  The room is hot.

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🔥 熱あつい — Hot to the touch / heat inside something

Use 熱あつい for things you can physically touch — objects, liquids, food.
If something can burn your hand, it’s 熱あつい.

But 熱あつい is also used figuratively for passion, intensity, or excitement:

Examples:

• このスープ、熱あついよ！
  This soup is hot!
• カップが熱あついので気きをつけてください。
  The cup is hot, so be careful.
• この試合しあいは熱あつい！
  This match is exciting!
• 彼かれのスピーチは熱あつい思おもいが伝つたわった。
  His speech conveyed his passionate feelings.

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❄️ 寒さむい — Cold weather / cold air

Use 寒さむい for the opposite of 暑あつい — when the environment feels cold.

Examples:

• 外そとはとても寒さむいです。
  It’s very cold outside.
• 冬ふゆは部屋へやが寒さむい。
  The room gets cold in winter.

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🧊 冷つめたい — Cold to the touch / cold objects

冷つめたい when something feels cold when you touch it or put it in your mouth.

冷つめたい is also used figuratively for a cold personality or attitude:

Examples:

• 冷つめたい水みずが飲のみたい。
  I want to drink cold water.
• 彼かれの手てが冷つめたい。
  His hands are cold.
• 彼かれは冷つめたい人ひとだ。
  He is a cold (distant) person.
• 彼女かのじょは冷つめたい態度たいどをとった。
  She showed a cold attitude.

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🌤️ 暖あたたかい — Warm weather / warm air

Use 暖あたたかい for the comfortable warmth of the surroundings — like nice weather or a warm room.

Examples:

• 春はるは暖あたたかいです。
  Spring is warm.
• 暖あたたかい部屋へやでゆっくりしたい。
  I want to relax in a warm room.

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💗 温あたたかい — Warm to the touch / warm feelings

Use 温あたたかい for things you can touch — like a warm drink, warm food, or warm hands.
It’s also used metaphorically for “warmhearted,” “kind,” or “heartwarming.”

Examples:

• 温あたたかいお茶ちゃを飲のみます。
  I’ll drink warm tea.
• 彼女かのじょの言葉ことばは温あたたかい。
  Her words are warm (kind).

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🌡 Quick Summary

Meaning	Weather/Air	Things you touch	Emotional warmth
暑あつい	✅	✖️	✖️
熱あつい	✖️	✅	✅ (passion, excitement)
寒さむい	✅	✖️	✖️
冷つめたい	✖️	✅	✅ (cold personality)
暖あたたかい	✅	✖️	✖️
温あたたかい	✖️	✅	✅ (kindness, warmth)

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✨ Final Tip

A simple memory trick:

• 暑 / 寒 / 暖 = air, atmosphere
• 熱 / 冷 / 温 = objects, touch, or emotional nuance

Japanese temperature words are not just about the weather or objects — they’re also a beautiful way to describe people, feelings, and the intensity of a moment.

If you want to learn Japanese, improve your skills, or connect with native speakers and other learners, we can help. We offer one-on-one lessons, a supportive community, and on demand courses.

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