How to Say ‘The hot water is cold.’ in Japanese
お湯が冷たいです。
o yu ga tsumetai desu
[oh yoo gah tsoo-meh-tie deh-soo]
💬 Usage Tip: This sounds funny in English but is totally natural in Japanese: “Hot water is cold” = the hot-water line isn’t heating.
🇯🇵 In Japan: This points to the heater not igniting/heating. They may ask about the heater panel or any error code next.
Phrase Breakdown
お
o
[oh]
honorific/polite prefix (o-)
Prefix that makes certain words more polite. お湯 is the common polite/standard term for “hot water.”
お湯が出ないです。
The hot water doesn’t come out.
湯
yu
[yoo]
hot water
Noun. Hot water used for bathing/showering. Key word when reporting a water heater issue.
湯が冷たいです。
The hot water is cold.
が
ga
[gah]
(subject marker)
Particle marking the subject. お湯が冷たい = “The hot water is cold.” Often used to describe what is happening.
お湯が冷たいです。
The hot water is cold.
冷たい
tsumetai
[tsoo-meh-tie]
cold
い-adjective. Here it means the “hot water” is actually cold, suggesting a heater malfunction.
お湯が冷たいです。
The hot water is cold.
です
desu
[deh-soo]
is (polite)
Polite copula used to end the statement politely when speaking to staff/landlord.
お湯が冷たいです。
The hot water is cold.
Get the Full Learning Experience
This lesson is just a preview. Download PrettyFluent to practice pronunciation, roleplay conversations, and master vocabulary with spaced repetition.
Pronunciation Feedback
AI-powered speech recognition to perfect your accent
Spaced Repetition
Retain vocabulary long-term with smart practice
Immersive Roleplaying
Practice real conversations with AI partners
Custom Scenarios
Request lessons tailored to your specific needs
Get Full LessonWhat Learners Are Saying
“Teaching in Osaka and I wanted to connect with my students beyond the classroom. The everyday conversation scenarios made my Japanese feel natural, not textbook-y.”
Mia S., 25, English Teacher
“Moved to Tokyo and the polite vs. casual speech levels were killing me. This app breaks it all down with real scenarios. My coworkers noticed the difference in weeks.”
Kevin Z., 31, Game Developer
“I tried five different apps before this one. The roleplay conversations are what finally made things click. I actually remember what I learn now.”
Sofia R., 31, Marketing Manager