cold
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cold
The state of low temperature; the absence of warmth. It describes a physical property of the environment or of an object.
Trotz der Kälte von minus zehn Grad gingen sie spazieren.
Despite the cold of minus ten degrees, they went for a walk.
coldness
A lack of warmth, compassion, or emotional warmth in human interaction. It describes distant or dismissive behavior.
Nach dem Streit herrschte eine eisige Kälte zwischen ihnen.
After the argument, there was an icy coldness between them.
'Die Kälte' (the cold) is the noun corresponding to the adjective 'kalt' (cold). The pattern of forming a feminine noun from an adjective with the ending '-e' is common in German, e.g. warm → die Wärme (warmth), groß → die Größe (size).
Die Kälte des Metalls war unangenehm auf der Haut.
The coldness of the metal felt unpleasant on the skin.
When referring to temperature, 'Kälte' (cold) is often described with adjectives such as 'eisig' (icy), 'bitter' (bitter), or 'streng' (severe). People can 'vor Kälte zittern' (shiver from the cold) or 'sich gegen die Kälte schützen' (protect themselves against the cold).
Zieh dir eine dicke Jacke an, um dich vor der Kälte zu schützen.
Put on a thick jacket to protect yourself from the cold.
In its figurative meaning, 'Kälte' (coldness) often describes distant behavior. Typical collocations are 'emotionale Kälte' (emotional coldness), 'Kälte zeigen' (to show coldness), or the sentence 'Zwischen ihnen herrscht Kälte' (There is coldness between them).
Seine Worte waren voller Kälte und Ablehnung.
His words were full of coldness and rejection.
The context reveals whether temperature or feeling is meant. Words like 'Grad' (degrees), 'Winter' (winter), or 'frieren' (to freeze / feel cold) point to the literal meaning. Words like 'Gefühl' (feeling), 'Herz' (heart), or 'Beziehung' (relationship) point to the figurative, emotional meaning.
Die Kälte des Winters macht mir nichts aus.
The cold of winter doesn't bother me.
frost
Kälte and Frost can both describe emotional distance between people. Kälte is the more general and neutral choice. Frost is more figurative and often emphasizes a tense or rejecting relationship.
Seit ihrem Gespräch spürte sie eine deutliche Kälte zwischen ihnen.
Since their conversation, she had sensed a clear coldness between them.
Seit ihrem heftigen Streit herrschte spürbarer Frost zwischen ihnen.
Since their heated argument, there had been a noticeable frost between them.
