Hey English learners! Let's look at the difference between "cold" and "chilly." While both words describe a low temperature, they have slightly different meanings and are used in different situations. "Cold" means a temperature that is significantly lower than what's comfortable, often unpleasantly so. "Chilly," on the other hand, describes a temperature that is only slightly cool; it's more of a mild coolness, often just a bit uncomfortable. Think of "chilly" as a gentler version of "cold."

Here are some example sentences to illustrate the difference:

• Cold: "The weather is cold today; I need a jacket." (Meaning: The temperature is quite low and requires warm clothing.)
• Cold (translation): "The temperature is substantially lower than comfortable today; I need a jacket."
• Chilly: "It's a bit chilly in here; shall I turn up the heating?" (Meaning: The temperature is slightly cool, prompting a suggestion for making it warmer.)
• Chilly (translation): "The temperature is slightly cool in this room; should I increase the heat?"

Notice how "cold" implies a more substantial drop in temperature, requiring heavier clothing or other measures, while "chilly" suggests a minor coolness that might simply need a light sweater or adjusting the thermostat. You might say "I feel chilly" if you have a slight shiver, but "I feel cold" suggests a more intense feeling of low temperature.

Let's look at another example:

• Cold: "The swimming pool water is freezing cold!" (Meaning: The water is extremely cold, making it unpleasant to swim in.)
• Cold (translation): "The water in the swimming pool is extremely cold, making it unpleasant to swim in.)
• Chilly: "The swimming pool water is a bit chilly this morning." (Meaning: The water is only slightly cool, not necessarily unpleasant.)
• Chilly (translation): "The temperature of the swimming pool water is somewhat cool this morning."

The key difference lies in the intensity of the coolness. Use "cold" for significantly low temperatures and "chilly" for mildly low temperatures.

Happy learning!