冷 (lěng) - cold & chilly

冷Tone 3

lěng ｜ 7 strokes ｜ radical: 冫

俊梁

冷 · lěng

cold;

chilly;

indifferent;

unfriendly;

deserted;

rare;

surname Leng.

coldchillyindifferent

Usage highlights

cold weathercold watercold drinkcold warcold storagecold expression

Synonyms

  • 寒— cold, chilly
  • 凉— cool, cold
  • 冰— ice, icy

Antonyms

  • 热— hot, warm
  • 暖— warm
  • 温— warm, temperate

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The weather is very cold today (今天很冷).
  • He gave me a cold look (他冷冷地看了我一眼).
  • This dish has gone cold (这道菜冷了).
  • Don't be so cold-hearted (不要这么冷心).

Collocations

  • cold weather(冷天)
  • cold water(冷水)
  • cold drink(冷饮)
  • cold war(冷战)
  • cold storage(冷藏)
  • cold expression(冷表情)

Idioms

  • Cold words and sarcastic remarks(冷言冷语)
  • Cold eyes and ridicule(冷嘲热讽)
  • Indifferent and aloof(冷若冰霜)
  • Suddenly hit by a cold arrow(冷不防)
  • Cold window and hard bench(冷板凳)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • In Chinese culture, 'cold' often carries negative connotations beyond temperature, suggesting emotional distance, social isolation, or unfavorable circumstances.
  • The character appears in idioms describing interpersonal relationships, particularly indifference or lack of warmth.
  • Used metaphorically in terms like 'cold war' to describe tense but non-violent conflicts.

FAQ