1.
lukewarm, tepid
Neither hot nor cold; moderately warm.
お風呂が温い。
The bath is lukewarm.
コーヒーが温くなった。
The coffee has become lukewarm.
温いお湯で手を洗った。
I washed my hands with lukewarm water.
このスープは温くて、あまりおいしくない。
This soup is lukewarm and doesn't taste very good.
夏は水も温くなるから、冷蔵庫に入れておいた方がいい。
In summer, water gets lukewarm too, so it's better to keep it in the fridge.
温い describes something not hot enough.
TEMPERATURE ADJECTIVES:
- 熱い (hot - for objects)
- 暖かい/温かい (warm)
- 温い (lukewarm)
- 冷たい (cold)
USAGE: Often has a slightly negative nuance when something should be hot but isn't.
FIGURATIVE USE: Can describe a half-hearted attitude or effort.