Ways to say it
| Portuguese | IPA |
|---|---|
| frio | /ˈfɾi.u/ (Brazil) /ˈfɾiw/ (Brazil) |
| gelado | /ʒeˈla.du/ (Brazil) /ʒɨˈla.du/ (Portugal) |
The adjective frio is used to describe something having a low temperature. When talking about the weather, you can also use frio as a noun to refer to the coldness itself. For emphasis, you can use the expression frio como gelo, which means 'cold as ice'.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Brazil, the informal expression frio pra caramba is commonly used to emphasize the degree of coldness. In Portugal, frio is one of the most common terms used to describe coldness.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
As an adjective, frio must agree in gender and number with the noun it modifies: fria for feminine singular, frios for masculine plural and frias for feminine plural.
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced /ˈfɾi.u/. The stress is on the first of the two syllables.
What mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid saying está frio to describe the weather. While understandable, it is more natural to use the phrase faz frio to express that it is a cold day or period.
Did you know?
- The Portuguese expression ter frio literally means 'to have cold' rather than 'to be cold' when describing how a person feels.
- The word gelado comes from the same Latin root as the English word 'gel', meaning the two words are linguistic relatives.
- Using frio to describe a person's behavior can be a strong social critique in Lusophone cultures, implying a lack of 'calor humano' (human warmth).
Examples in context
- É frio lá fora.It is cold outside.This sentence uses frio to state that it is cold outside.Tatoeba #2086808 by MarlonX19, translation #2085301 by freddy1
- Eu odeio o frio.I hate the cold.This sentence uses frio to express a dislike for the cold.Tatoeba #5239327 by ajdavidl, translation #3825678 by CK
- Neva e faz frio.It's snowing and it's cold.This sentence uses frio to describe cold weather occurring alongside snow.Tatoeba #11154875 by carlosalberto, translation #11154869 by carlosalberto
- O ar-condicionado está muito frio.The air conditioning is very cold.
- A água está gelada.The water is cold.
- O gelo está frio como gelo.The ice is cold as ice.
- Hoje está um friozinho.Today is a bit cold.
- Está um frio de rachar hoje!It's freezing today!
- Está fazendo um frio pra caramba lá fora.It's really cold outside.
- 443 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lucas and Beatriz are sitting in a room with the window open.
- LucasEstá muito frio aqui.It is very cold in here.
- BeatrizSim, a janela está aberta.Yes, the window is open.
- LucasVocê está com frio, Beatriz?Are you cold, Beatriz?
- BeatrizSim, vou pegar um casaco.Yes, I'm going to get a jacket.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “cold” translations and entries frio, gelado, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries frio, gelado, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
