külm

Külm is the Estonian word for cold. It describes low temperature in a physical sense and is used to refer to air, water, objects, and bodily sensations. Common expressions include külm vesi (cold water), külm ilm (cold weather), and külm käsi (cold hand). The word also appears in phrases that describe mood or atmosphere, such as a cold reception or a cold environment.

Külm is a relative term; what counts as cold depends on context and reference temperature. It is typically contrasted with soe, meaning warm. In everyday speech and meteorology, külm can describe conditions that feel cool or below comfortable indoor temperatures.

In addition to literal temperature, külm can be used metaphorically to describe emotional or social qualities, such as coldness in behavior, lack of warmth, or an unfriendly attitude. These figurative uses are common in descriptive language and literature.

Etymology and related terms: Külm is cognate with Finnish kylmä and other Finnic-language derivatives for cold. The Estonian word has ancient roots in the region’s linguistic history and remains a basic part of everyday vocabulary, spanning from weather reports to descriptions of objects, sensations, and social interactions.