Lengqi

Lengqi (冷氣)

Lengqi, literally translated as "cold air" from Chinese, most commonly refers to air conditioning. The term is widely used in Chinese-speaking regions, particularly in Taiwan, Hong Kong, and mainland China, to describe the system and process of cooling air within an enclosed space.

The word encompasses the physical air conditioning unit itself (the machine) as well as the function of cooling the air. One might say "Open the Lengqi" (開冷氣) meaning "Turn on the air conditioning."

The meaning of Lengqi is generally straightforward and universally understood within these regions. While "air conditioning" in English is also understood, Lengqi remains the dominant colloquial term for the technology.