冷める

• Reading: さめる
• Romaji: sameru
• Kanji breakdown: 冷 (rei/sa) — cold, cool
• Pronunciation: /sa.me.ɾɯ/

Meaning

To become cool; to cool down; to wear off. The intransitive verb for temperature dropping or enthusiasm fading.

A Group 2 (ichidan) verb conjugated by dropping る. The intransitive counterpart of 冷ます (to cool). Used literally for food and drinks losing heat, and figuratively for feelings, excitement, or interest diminishing. 気持ちが冷める (feelings cool off) is a common expression in relationship contexts.

Examples

1. お茶が冷めないうちに飲んでください。 Please drink the tea before it gets cold.
2. 最初は夢中だったが熱が冷めてきた。 I was obsessed at first, but the excitement has worn off.
3. 彼の冗談で場の雰囲気が冷めてしまった。 His joke killed the mood.

Usage Guide

Context: cooking, relationships, emotions

Tone: subdued

Origin & History

From the verb stem さめる, written with 冷 (rei, cold/cool). The intransitive counterpart of 冷ます, describing the natural process of becoming cold.

Cultural Context

Era: Classical

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal