What does “suzushii” mean in Japanese?
Native speakers say “suzushii” normally to mean ‘cool’ in Japanese. Perhaps, some Japanese learners know this word as it is sometimes used in Japanese conversations. In this blog post, however, I will explain it together with its major conjugations. And also, I will explain how to use them through example sentences. My explanations would help Japanese learners use “suzushii” more properly. Then, let’s get started!
Contents
- Definition and meanings of “suzushii”
- Suzushikunai: the nai form of “suzushii”
- Suzushikatta: the ta form of “suzushii”
- Suzushikute: the te form of “suzushii”
- Suzushikereba: the ba form of “suzushii”
- Summary
Definition and meanings of “suzushii”
Let me start with the definition and meanings of “suzushii”.
- suzushii – 涼しい (すずしい) : an i-adjective meaning ‘cool’ in Japanese. Depending on the context and situation, this can also mean ‘refreshing’.
Native speakers use this i-adjective normally to describe the cool weather in Japanese.
The definition and meanings are simple and clear, I think. Then, let me explain how to use this i-adjective through the example sentence below.
Example #1: how to say “cool” in Japanese
kyou wa suzushii – 今日は涼しい (きょうはすずしい)
It’s cool today.
Below are the new words used in the example sentence.
- kyou – 今日 (きょう) : a noun meaning ‘today’ in Japanese. This can also work as an adverb almost anywhere in a sentence.
- wa – は : a binding particle working as a case marker or topic marker. In the example, this works after “kyou” to make the subject in the sentence.
This is a typical usage of “suzushii”. In this example, it works as the complement. Like other adjectives, however, it can also work as a modifier in front of a noun. It’s worth knowing.
So far, I’ve explained the definition and meanings of “suzushii” and how to use it through the example sentence. In the rest part of this blog post, I will explain its major conjugations. The first one is “suzushikunai”.
Suzushikunai: the nai form of “suzushii”
Below are the definition and meanings of “suzushikunai”.
- suzushikunai – 涼しくない (すずしくない) : the nai form of “suzushii”, which means ‘not cool’ or ‘not refreshing’ in Japanese.
Grammatically, “suzushikunai” consists of the following two parts:
- suzushiku – 涼しく (すずしく) : one conjugation of “suzushii”. This can have a smooth connection with “nai”.
- nai – ない : an auxiliary verb used after a verb, adjective, or auxiliary verb to deny its meaning. Word orders in Japanese and English are different, but the role of this auxiliary verb is similar to that of “not”.
From these two parts, we can understand that “suzushikunai” is literally the nai form of “suzushii” and means ‘not cool’ or ‘not refreshing’ in Japanese. Then, let me explain how to use this form through the example sentence below.
Example #2: how to say “not cool” in Japanese
kaze ga suzushikunai – 風が涼しくない (かぜがすずしくない)
The wind is not cool.
Below are the new words used in the example sentence.
- kaze – 風 (かぜ) : a noun meaning ‘wind’ in Japanese.
- ga – が : a case particle used to make the subject word or the object word in a sentence. In the example, this is used after “kaze” to make the subject in the sentence.
This is a typical usage of “suzushikunai”. When we want to mean ‘not cool’ in Japanese, this nai form is a good option.
Suzushikatta: the ta form of “suzushii”
Below are the definition and meanings of “suzushikatta”.
- suzushikatta – 涼しかった (すずしかった) : the ta form of “suzushii”, which means ‘was cool’, ‘was refreshing’, or such in Japanese.
Grammatically, “suzushikatta” consists of the following two parts:
- suzushikat – 涼しかっ (すずしかっ) : one conjugation of “suzushii”. This can have a smooth connection with “ta”.
- ta – た : an auxiliary verb used after a verb, adjective, or auxiliary verb to make its past tense form. Probably, this is well known as a part of Japanese ta form.
From these two parts, we can understand that “suzushikatta” is literally the ta form of “suzushii” and means ‘was cool’, ‘was refreshing’, or such in Japanese. Then, let me explain how to use this form through the example sentence below.
Example #3: how to say “was cool” in Japanese
kinou wa suzushikatta – 昨日は涼しかった (きのうはすずしかった)
It was cool yesterday.
Below is the new word used in the example sentence.
- kinou – 昨日 (きのう) : a noun meaning ‘yesterday’ in Japanese. This can also work as an adverb almost anywhere in a sentence.
This is a typical usage of “suzushikatta”. When we want to use the past tense form of “suzushii”, this ta form is the best option.
Suzushikute: the te form of “suzushii”
Below are the definition and meanings of “suzushikute”.
- suzushikute – 涼しくて (すずしくて) : the te form of “suzushii”, which means ‘cool’ or ‘refreshing’ in Japanese.
Grammatically, “suzushikute” consists of the following two parts:
- suzushiku – 涼しく (すずしく) : one conjugation of “suzushii”. This can have a smooth connection with “te”.
- te – て : a conjunctive particle used after a verb, adjective, or auxiliary verb to make its te form.
From these two parts, we can understand that “suzushikute” is literally the te form of “suzushii”. In Japanese, te-formed words have some important roles. One of them is make smooth connections of words. So, “suzushikute” is very useful when we want to use “suzushii” in front of another adjective, a verb, or an auxiliary verb. Let me explain this usage through the example sentence below.
Example #4: how to say “cool and” in Japanese
yoru wa suzushikute kimochiii – 夜は涼しくて気持ち良い (よるはすずしくてきもちいい)
It’s cool and pleasant at night.
Below are the new words used in the example sentence.
- yoru – 夜 (よる) : a noun meaning ‘night’ in Japanese. This can also work as plural. Learn more about Japanese plural.
- kimochiii – 気持ち良い (きもちいい) : an i-adjective meaning ‘pleasant’ or such in Japanese.
This is a typical usage of “suzushikute”. In the example, it has the smooth connection with “kimochiii”. When we want to use “suzushii” in front of another adjective like this, its te form is very useful to make a smooth connection.
Suzushikereba: the ba form of “suzushii”
Lastly, let me explain the definition and meanings of “suzushikereba”.
- suzushikereba – 涼しければ (すずしければ) : the ba form of “suzushii”, which makes a conditional clause in a sentence with adding the meaning of ‘cool’ or ‘refreshing’ in Japanese.
Grammatically, “suzushikereba” consists of the following two parts:
- suzushikere – 涼しけれ (すずしけれ) : one conjugation of “suzushii”. This can have a smooth connection with “ba”.
- ba – ば : a conjunctive particle used after a verb, adjective, or auxiliary verb to make its ba form.
From these two parts, we can understand that “suzushikereba” is literally the ba form of “suzushii”. In Japanese, the ba forms of words can work as their conditional forms. So, we can use “suzushikereba” to make a conditional clause in a sentence with adding the meaning of ‘cool’ or ‘refreshing’. Let me explain this usage through the example sentence below.
Example #5: how to say “if cool” in Japanese
kaze ga suzushikereba, uwagi wo ki te kudasai – 風が涼しければ、上着を着てください (かぜがすずしければ、うわぎをきてください)
If the wind is cool, please put your jacket on.
Below are the new words used in the example sentence.
- uwagi – 上着 (うわぎ) : a noun meaning ‘jacket’ or such in Japanese. This can also work as plural.
- wo – を : a case particle used to make the object word in a sentence. In the example, this is used after “uwagi” to make the object in the sentence.
- ki – 着 (き) : one conjugation of the verb, “kiru”, which means ‘to put on’, ‘to wear’, or such in Japanese. In the example, it has been conjugated for the better connection with its following word.
- te – て : the same as used in “suzushikute”. In this example, this is used after “ki” to make its te form, “ki te”. Verbs need to be changed to their te forms to be connected with “kudasai”.
- kudasai – ください : one conjugation of the verb, “kudasaru”, which means ‘to give’ or such in Japanese. When this follows a verb, however, this can work like an auxiliary verb to add the meaning of ‘please’. In the example, this works like an auxiliary verb after “ki te” to add the meaning of ‘please’.
This is a typical usage of “suzushikereba”. In the example, it works as a part of the conditional clause, “kaze ga suzushikereba”, which means ‘if the wind is cool’ in Japanese. When we want to make a conditional clause in a sentence with adding the meaning of ‘cool’, this ba form is a good option.
Summary
In this blog post, I’ve explained the definition and meanings of “suzushii” together with its major conjugations. And also, I’ve explained how to use them through the example sentences. Let me summarize them as follows.
- suzushii – 涼しい (すずしい) : an i-adjective meaning ‘cool’ in Japanese. Depending on the context and situation, this can also mean ‘refreshing’. This can work as both a modifier and a complement.
- suzushikunai – 涼しくない (すずしくない) : the nai form of “suzushii”, which means ‘not cool’ or ‘not refreshing’ in Japanese.
- suzushikatta – 涼しかった (すずしかった) : the ta form of “suzushii”, which means ‘was cool’, ‘was refreshing’, or such in Japanese.
- suzushikute – 涼しくて (すずしくて) : the te form of “suzushii”, which means ‘cool’ or ‘refreshing’ in Japanese. When we want to use “suzushii” in front of another adjective, this te form is very useful to make a smooth connection.
- suzushikereba – 涼しければ (すずしければ) : the ba form of “suzushii”, which makes a conditional clause in a sentence with adding the meaning of ‘cool’ or ‘refreshing’ in Japanese.
Hope my explanations are understandable and helpful for Japanese learners.
