1.
to get bitterly cold, to have the temperature drop sharply
For the air or weather to become intensely cold, especially in the morning or at night.
朝は冷え込む。
It gets bitterly cold in the morning.
今夜はかなり冷え込むらしい。
It seems it will get quite cold tonight.
明日の朝は氷点下まで冷え込む見込みです。
The temperature is expected to drop below freezing tomorrow morning.
2.
to cool down, to worsen (of a relationship, economy, etc.)
For a relationship, the economy, or a situation to deteriorate or become strained, used figuratively.
景気が冷え込んでいる。
The economy has cooled down.
二人の関係はすっかり冷え込んだ。
The relationship between the two has completely cooled off.
制裁の影響で両国の貿易が冷え込んでいる。
Trade between the two countries has cooled due to the impact of sanctions.
Compound verb from 冷える (to get cold) + 込む (into, intensely). The 込む element adds the nuance of intensity or thoroughness.
TRANSITIVITY:
- Type: intransitive (自動詞)
- No transitive pair
ASPECT (ている):
- 冷え込んでいる = is in a state of being very cold / has cooled down (resulting state)
COMMON PATTERNS:
- 朝晩冷え込む (get cold morning and evening)
- 〜まで冷え込む (drop down to ~)
- 景気が冷え込む (the economy cools down)
- 関係が冷え込む (the relationship cools off)
USAGE NOTES:
Often heard in weather forecasts. The figurative use for economies and relationships is also very common in news and everyday speech.