Meaning and Usage
The verb 凍える (こごえる) describes the state of being extremely cold to the point of freezing or becoming numb from the cold. It often implies a physical reaction to cold weather, such as shivering or stiffness.
Common Contexts
凍える is frequently used to describe people or animals suffering from cold temperatures, especially in winter or harsh weather conditions. It can also be used metaphorically to express emotional coldness or a chilling atmosphere, but this is less common.
Collocations and Patterns
- 凍えるような寒さ (こごえるようなさむさ): freezing cold, used to emphasize extreme cold.
- 手が凍える (てがこごえる): hands freezing, a common phrase to describe numbness in hands.
- 凍えて震える (こごえてふるえる): to freeze and shiver, emphasizing the physical reaction.
Register and Usage Notes
凍える is a neutral verb suitable for both spoken and written Japanese. It is often used in descriptive narratives or everyday conversation when talking about cold weather. Learners should not confuse it with 凍る (こおる), which means "to freeze" in the sense of water or objects turning to ice. 凍える specifically refers to living beings feeling the cold intensely.
Common Mistake
Avoid using 凍える to describe objects freezing solid; use 凍る instead. For example, 水が凍る (water freezes) is correct, but 水が凍える is incorrect.