Describing thingsCold in Thai
“Cold” in Thai is หนาวnǎao; you'll also hear เย็นyen (cool; cold things, iced drinks).
cold (weather; feeling cold) adjective
- nǎao rising
- Rising: start low, dip, then rise to the top, like a doubtful “Really?”
For the weather and for how you feel; cold drinks and food are เย็นyen.
cool, cold; iced (drinks) adjective cool; cold things, iced drinks
- yen mid
- Mid: level, in your normal speaking voice.
For drinks it means iced; for weather and places, pleasantly cool.
Taught in Unit 18 · Lesson 1: Weather and seasons of the free course.
Practise it freeHow to use it
Use หนาวnǎao for cold weather and for feeling cold: หนาวไหมnǎao mǎi, are you cold? Use เย็นyen for things that are cool or cold, like drinks, food, water and air: น้ำเย็นnáam yen, cold water. A cold breeze can be either.
Catching a cold is a different word: เป็นหวัดbpen wàt.
Other spellings you'll see
There's no single official way to write Thai in English letters. We mark the tone of every syllable; online you'll also find:
- nao
- now
More describing things in Thai
All describing things
Learn this word in Unit 18, free
Unit 18 · Rainy season · Weather and seasons. Short lessons with audio for every word, speaking practice and spaced review. No sign-up needed.
Written by the Learn Thai For Free team
Audio: AI voices, quality-checked for tones