kühl
cool
A temperature that is felt as pleasant or slightly cold, but not freezing.
EXAMPLE
An einem kühlen Sommerabend saßen wir noch lange draußen.
On a cool summer evening, we sat outside for a long time.
kühl
cool
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Meanings
kühl
cool
Describes a person or their behavior as distant, reserved, and not very emotional or warm.
EXAMPLE
Sie antwortete mit einem kühlen Lächeln und ging weiter.
She answered with a cool smile and walked on.
einen kühlen Kopf bewahren
to keep a cool head
To stay calm and think clearly in a difficult or stressful situation.
EXAMPLE
Trotz des Feueralarms bewahrte sie einen kühlen Kopf und half den anderen.
Despite the fire alarm, she kept a cool head and helped the others.
kühl
cool
Refers to colors (such as blue, green, or violet) that have a cold, calming, or distant effect.
EXAMPLE
Für das Schlafzimmer haben wir kühle Farbtöne gewählt.
We chose cool shades for the bedroom.
Usage tips
Context clue
The meaning of 'kühl' (cool) depends strongly on the context. If it refers to weather or drinks, it is about temperature. If it describes a person or a reaction, the distant, emotional meaning is intended.
EXAMPLE
Die kühle Brise am Meer war sehr erfrischend.
The cool breeze by the sea was very refreshing.
Fixed expression
The expression 'einen kühlen Kopf bewahren' (to keep a cool head) is a fixed unit. It means to stay calm and rational in a stressful situation.
EXAMPLE
Als der Computer abstürzte, hat sie einen kühlen Kopf bewahrt und das Problem gelöst.
When the computer crashed, she kept a cool head and solved the problem.
Typical collocations
In connection with temperature, 'kühl' (cool) is often used for weather, air, or drinks. Typical combinations are 'kühles Wetter' (cool weather), 'ein kühler Wind' (a cool wind), or 'ein kühles Getränk' (a cool drink).
EXAMPLE
Nach dem Sport trinke ich gerne ein kühles Wasser.
After exercising, I like to drink a cool water.
Figurative meaning
When 'kühl' (cool) describes a person or their behavior, typical combinations are 'ein kühler Empfang' (a cool reception), 'ein kühles Lächeln' (a cool smile), or 'kühle Distanz wahren' (to maintain cool distance).
EXAMPLE
Ihre Reaktion war eher kühl und abweisend.
Her reaction was rather cool and dismissive.
Context: colors
You can recognize the meaning connected with colors from words like 'Farbe' (color), 'Farbton' (shade), or 'Einrichtung' (interior design/furnishings). It then refers to colors like blue or green.
EXAMPLE
Das Wohnzimmer ist in kühlen Blautönen gestrichen.
The living room is painted in cool shades of blue.
Compare with
kühl vs cool
cool
Cool and kühl can both express a pleasantly low temperature. Kühl is the standard German word for this. Cool is a less common Anglicism in this meaning and, without a clear temperature context, can easily be understood as a positive evaluation.
kühl
Heute fühlt sich die Luft am See angenehm kühl an.
Today, the air by the lake feels pleasantly cool.
cool
Heute fühlt sich die Luft am See angenehm cool an.
Today, the air by the lake feels pleasantly cool.
In real life
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