Korean · Emotions & Descriptions
"Cold" in Korean: 차갑다
차갑다chagapda
Cold in Korean is 차갑다 (chagapda). 차갑다 describes something cold to touch; 춥다 describes cold weather or feeling cold.
Cold: an everyday statement
물이 차가워요.muri chagawoyo.
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How to pronounce 차갑다
Say it
chagapda
/tɕʰakap̚t͈a/
Read 차갑다 as chagapda. The spoken form 차가워요 is chagawoyo; preserve its final 요 when addressing someone politely.
"Cold" in Korean: quick reference
| Korean | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| 차갑다chagapda | Cold Dictionary form. | Dictionary form. |
| 차가워요chagawoyo | Cold (polite present) Use 차가워요 in an everyday polite sentence. | Use 차가워요 in an everyday polite sentence. |
| 차가웠어요chagawosseoyo | Cold (polite past) Use 차가웠어요 for a completed past action or state. | Use 차가웠어요 for a completed past action or state. |
How to use 차갑다 in real life
- 1Cold: an everyday statement
물이 차가워요.
muri chagawoyo.
The water is cold.
차가워요 is the present form of 차갑다.
- 2Cold: a different situation
아까 손이 차가웠어요.
akka soni chagawosseoyo.
My hands were cold earlier.
차가웠어요 is the past form of 차갑다.
- 3Cold: a question or request
음식이 차가워요?
eumsigi chagawoyo?
Is the food cold?
차가워요 is the present form of 차갑다.
Mistakes English speakers make with 차갑다
Incorrect: 차갑다.
Correct: 차가워요.
When practicing cold, 차갑다 names the dictionary entry. In polite speech, change the ending to 차가워요.
Incorrect: 어제 차가워요.
Correct: 어제 차가웠어요.
When practicing cold, for a completed event yesterday, use 차가웠어요; the present form 차가워요 does not express that past event.
Good to know
차갑다 describes something cold to touch; 춥다 describes cold weather or feeling cold. 차가워요 is the polite conversational form of 차갑다; 차가웠어요 gives a past-tense form.
Read this practice conversation aloud
Tutor-led emotions and descriptions study exercise: two sentences with 차갑다
Partner
이 표현을 사용해서 한 문장 말해 볼까요?
i pyohyeoneul sayonghaeseo han munjang malhae bolkkayo?
Shall we say a sentence using this expression?
You
물이 차가워요.
muri chagawoyo.
The water is cold.
Partner
좋아요. 다른 문장으로도 연습해 볼까요?
joayo. dareun munjangeurodo yeonseupae bolkkayo?
Good. Shall we practice with another sentence too?
You
아까 손이 차가웠어요.
akka soni chagawosseoyo.
My hands were cold earlier.
This is a sample dialogue for reading aloud. Try both parts, then replace a detail with one from your own life.
Explore ChatPal"Cold" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "Cold" in Korean
How do I use 차갑다 in polite speech?
차가워요 is the polite conversational form of 차갑다; 차가웠어요 gives a past-tense form.
How do I use 차갑다 in a past-tense sentence?
차가웠어요 is the polite past form. 차갑다 describes something cold to touch; 춥다 describes cold weather or feeling cold.
What does 차가워요 mean here?
차가워요 is used for cold. For example, 물이 차가워요. means “The water is cold.”
What should I remember about 차갑다?
차갑다 describes something cold to touch; 춥다 describes cold weather or feeling cold.
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