How to Say ‘Hot or cold?’ in Japanese
温かいのと冷たいの、どちらにしますか。
atatakai no to tsumetai no dochira ni shi masu ka
[ah-tah-tah-kai noh toh tsoo-meh-tai noh doh-chee-rah nee shee mahss kah]
💬 Usage Tip: [〜の] after an adjective can stand in for a noun when the noun is obvious: [温かいの] means "the hot one," [冷たいの] means "the cold one." You can do the same with other descriptions, like [大きいの] for "the big one."
Phrase Breakdown
温かい
atatakai
[ah-tah-tah-kai]
warm
An i-adjective meaning warm or hot to the touch, often for drinks or food.
温かいお茶を飲みます。
I drink warm tea.
の
no
[noh]
one; thing
Nominalizer that means 'the cold one' in this sentence.
新しいのにします。
I will choose the new one.
と
to
[toh]
and; with
A particle used to connect two choices or items.
水とお茶を頼みました。
I ordered water and tea.
冷たい
tsumetai
[tsoo-meh-tai]
cold
An i-adjective meaning cold, often used for drinks or food.
冷たい水が欲しいです。
I want cold water.
の
no
[noh]
one; thing
Nominalizer that means 'the cold one' in this sentence.
新しいのにします。
I will choose the new one.
どちら
dochira
[doh-chee-rah]
which one
Used when choosing between two options.
紅茶とコーヒー、どちらが好きですか。
Which do you like, tea or coffee?
に
ni
[nee]
to
A particle used with する to indicate the choice made.
これにします。
I will take this one.
し
shi
[shee]
do; decide
The stem of する, used here in the pattern にします for making a choice.
私は水にします。
I will go with water.
ます
masu
[mahss]
polite verb ending
A polite non-past ending attached to verbs.
こちらにします。
I will choose this one.
か
ka
[kah]
question marker
Makes the full sentence a polite question.
どちらにしますか。
Which one will you choose?
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