1.
chilly, slightly cold
Cold enough to feel on one's skin; uncomfortably cool but not freezing.
今日は肌寒い。
It's chilly today.
朝晩は肌寒くなってきた。
It's getting chilly in the mornings and evenings.
肌寒いので上着を羽織った。
I put on a jacket because it was chilly.
肌寒い is an i-adjective describing weather that's chilly enough to feel on one's skin - cool but not freezing.
WORD FORMATION:
肌 (skin) + 寒い (cold) = literally "cold to the skin"
FORMS:
- Adverbial: 肌寒く
- Past: 肌寒かった
- Negative: 肌寒くない
TYPICAL USAGE:
- 今日は肌寒い: It's chilly today
- 朝晩肌寒い: Chilly mornings and evenings
- 肌寒くなってきた: It's getting chilly
SEASONAL CONTEXT:
Often describes spring or autumn weather - the transitional periods when it's not quite cold but noticeably cool.
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 寒い: cold (stronger)
- 涼しい: cool, refreshing (pleasant)
- 肌寒い: chilly (mild discomfort)