冷 (lěng)

An adjective meaning "cold" in temperature, describing weather, food, water, or a person's sensation of coldness. Its antonym is 热 (rè), meaning "hot."

Meanings

[adjective] Cold (in temperature, for weather, objects, or bodily sensation).

Example Sentences

冬天北京很冷。 Dōngtiān Běijīng hěn lěng. Beijing is very cold in winter.

这杯水太冷了，我想要热水。 Zhè bēi shuǐ tài lěng le, wǒ xiǎng yào rèshuǐ. This glass of water is too cold, I want hot water.

我冷，能给我一件外套吗？ Wǒ lěng, néng gěi wǒ yī jiàn wàitào ma? I am cold, can you give me a jacket?

今天比昨天冷多了。 Jīntiān bǐ zuótiān lěng duō le. Today is much colder than yesterday.

Collocations

Collocation	Meaning
很冷	very cold
天气冷	the weather is cold
冷水	cold water
冷饮	cold drink
冷静	calm, cool-headed
冷笑	cold laugh, sneer

Memory Hook

Antonym of 热 (rè, hot). 冷 has the 冫 (ice) radical on the left — two small ice crystals. When you see those two dots on the left, think cold.