Entry
きんきん
kinkin
Describes a high-pitched, piercing sound or something that is freezing cold.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
Kinkin is used in two distinct ways. First, it describes a shrill, high-pitched ringing sound that is piercing to the ears, such as metallic clanking or a shrill voice. Second, it describes something that is thoroughly chilled or freezing cold, most commonly used for ice-cold drinks like beer or biting winter air.
- high-pitched sound
- freezing cold
Sense Map
High-Pitched Sound
Describes a sharp, shrill, or echoing high-pitched noise that is often unpleasant to hear.
きんきん声
Ice-Cold
Describes a state of being completely chilled or piercingly cold, especially regarding drinks, air, or ice.
きんきんに冷えたビール
Usage Note
How to Use
きんきんに
Usually followed by verbs like 'hieru' (to cool down) or 'hiyasu' (to chill) to express that something has been chilled to the extreme.
きんきん
Directly modifies a noun, most famously 'koe' (voice) to form 'kinkin-goe' (shrill voice).
きんきんと
Directly modifies a noun, most famously 'koe' (voice) to form 'kinkin-goe' (shrill voice).
きんきんする
Directly modifies a noun, most famously 'koe' (voice) to form 'kinkin-goe' (shrill voice).
How to Use
Common Phrases
きんきんに冷える
to be chilled to the bone / freezing
きんきん声
shrill voice / high-pitched voice
きんきんと響く
to echo sharply / high-pitched ringing
きんきんに冷やした
ice-cold / thoroughly chilled
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Drinks | Positive / Neutral | Indicates that a beverage (especially beer or water) is at the perfect, refreshing ice-cold temperature. |
| Sounds | Negative | Usually used to complain about a shrill, grating sound that is unpleasant to listen to. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
きーん きーん / similar | Use 'kiin' for a steady, continuous high-pitched tone (like ears ringing) or the sharp pain of a brain freeze. | Kinkin refers more to physical objects being extremely cold (like a drink) or noisy, clashing shrill sounds. | 耳がキーンとする |
ひんやり ひんやり / contrast | Use 'hinyari' for a pleasantly cool and refreshing sensation. | Kinkin describes an extreme, piercing cold, whereas hinyari is gentle and comfortable. | ひんやりとした風 |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using kinkin for pleasantly cool weather.
Kinkin implies extreme intensity. For pleasantly cool weather, use hinyari.
Describing a beautiful soprano voice as kinkin.
Kinkin carries a negative nuance of being noisy or grating. Use it for shrill or irritating voices.
Examples
Examples
冷蔵庫できんきんに冷やしたビールを飲みたい。
れいぞうこ で きんきん に ひやした ビール を のみたい。
I want to drink an ice-cold beer chilled in the refrigerator.
LiteralUsed to express the extremely cold temperature of a drink, giving a refreshing impression.
彼女のきんきん声は少し耳障りだ。
かのじょ の きんきんごえ は すこし みみざわり だ。
Her shrill voice is a bit grating on the ears.
LiteralRefers to a sharp, high-pitched voice that is unpleasant to hear.
冬の朝は空気がきんきんに冷えている。
ふゆ の あさ は くうき が きんきん に ひえている。
On winter mornings, the air is piercingly cold.
LiteralIndicates that the air temperature is extremely low and freezing.
金属を叩く音がきんきんと響く。
きんぞく を たたく おと が きんきん と ひびく。
The sound of striking metal echoes with a sharp ring.
LiteralDescribes the high-pitched sound made when hard objects strike each other.
池にきんきんに張った氷の上を歩く。
いけ に きんきん に はった こおり の うえ を あるく。
Walking on the solid, frozen ice of the pond.
VisualDescribes a state where something has frozen very hard due to extreme temperatures.
Similar Words
キーン
きーん
Use 'kiin' for a steady, continuous high-pitched tone (like ears ringing) or the sharp pain of a brain freeze. Kinkin refers more to physical objects being extremely cold (like a drink) or noisy, clashing shrill sounds.
ひんやり
ひんやり
Use 'hinyari' for a pleasantly cool and refreshing sensation. Kinkin describes an extreme, piercing cold, whereas hinyari is gentle and comfortable.
Questions
Does kinkin always have a negative meaning?
No. While it is usually negative (grating) when referring to sounds, it is highly positive when referring to cold drinks on a hot day.
What's the difference between kinkin and kiin for cold foods?
The sharp pain in your head from eating something cold (brain freeze) is typically expressed as 'kiin to suru'. Kinkin describes the freezing temperature of the food or drink itself.
Can I use kinkin for winter wind?
Yes, saying the air or wind is 'kinkin ni hieteiru' is very natural and means it is bone-chillingly cold.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 916967009
- Source
- Internal
- Source URL
- kotobank.jp/word/きんきん
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
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