Temperature
Contents
Temperature
To Koreans, there are too kinds of temperatures.
- The temperature of things.
- The temperature of the air.
Thing Temperature
- 따갑다: Too hot; so hot it will burn; the feeling of being burned.
- 뜨겁다: Hot, uncomfortable but bearable. Will probably burn.
- 따뜻하다: Warm, comfortably so. In winter, you want this kind of coat.
- 미지근하다: Lukewarm, bordering on cold.
- 차갑다: Cold
- 차다: Cold
Air Temperature
- 덥다: Hot.
- 따듯하다: A little more than warm and comfortable.
- 따뜻하다: Warm and comfortable.
- 뜨둣하다: A little more than slightly warm.
- 뜨뜻하다: Slightly warm.
- 쌀쌀하다: Neither hot nor cold.
- 차다: Cool
- 춥다: Cold
Related Words
- 온도: temperature
- 온도기: thermometer (Lit., temperature device)
- 도: degrees (Celsius) (Ex: 이십도)
- 김: steam; 물: water; 어름: ice
- 녹다: melt; 얼다: freeze
- 타다: burn
- 닭살 내다: get goosebumps
- 땀방울: drops of sweat; 땀흐르다: to sweat
- 습기: humidity
- 온돌: heated floor
Culture Notes
Koreans like it a bit warm, more than we are used to in America. That means 75 degrees or more. They believe that anything less and you are likely to catch a cold or a fever. Even if it is warm, a cold breeze will likely get you sick.
Koreans like their floors warm, especially in winter. As long as the floor is warm, almost hot, they are comfortable even if all the windows are open. Taking your shoes off helps keep your feet warm in floor-heated homes.
Sweating isn't uncomfortable to Koreans. You should sweat a little all the time. Of course, Koreans tend not to have that stinky smell Americans have when they sweat, so sweating isn't associated with that smell or uncomfortable feeling. Dress so you just start to sweat a little bit. Protect yourself from breezes because you can get quite cold quickly when your clothing is damp from sweat.
Drinking cold drinks isn't recommended. This is another way you can catch a cold. Drinking very hot drinks isn't good either. That's why in most restaurants and in most homes you'll be served cool water or tea in summer, without ice. In other times of the year, enjoy your water or tea warm but not hot.
고구마 and 붕어빵 are sold on the streets in winter. Feel free to buy some and slip them in your pockets to keep your hands warm. 고구마 is especially good for warming cold fingers. 호떡 is too messy to stick in your pockets, but can quickly warm cold fingers as you eat it hot.
