Meaning and Usage
"氷" (こおり) primarily means "ice" in Japanese, referring to frozen water. It can also imply hail in weather contexts, though this is less common in everyday conversation.
Common Contexts
You will often see "氷" used when talking about cold drinks, especially in summer, or when describing natural ice like on lakes or roads. It also appears in expressions related to ice skating or ice-related sports.
Collocations and Patterns
- 氷を入れる (こおりをいれる): to put ice into a drink, very common in daily life.
- 氷が溶ける (こおりがとける): ice melts, used literally and sometimes metaphorically.
- 氷の上 (こおりのうえ): on the ice, often used in sports or describing slippery surfaces.
Register and Nuance
"氷" is a neutral noun and can be used in both casual and formal contexts without change. It is a concrete noun, so it rarely appears in abstract or figurative expressions.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes confuse "氷" with "水" (water) or "雪" (snow). Remember, "氷" specifically means frozen water, not liquid water or snowflakes.