What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is a literal translation: guerra means "war" and fría means "cold" (in its feminine singular form).
Which one should you use?
When referring to the specific historical era (1945, 1991) as a proper noun, you should use the capitalized form Guerra Fría. To say "period of the Cold War", you can use the formal phrase Periodo de la Guerra Fría.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The capitalized Guerra Fría is a formal way to name the historical event. Using Periodo de la Guerra Fría is also a formal way to describe that specific era.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Mexico, Guerra Fría is a common translation for the term. In Spain, the most prevalent form is La Guerra Fría.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase is feminine, so any accompanying articles or adjectives must also be feminine. When referring to the specific historical period, the definite article la is used in the phrase la guerra fría.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˌɡera ˈfɾia/
Did you know?
- The Spanish word guerra is a linguistic cousin of the English word 'war', as both descended from an ancient Germanic term meaning 'confusion' or 'quarrel'.
- Spanish speakers often use the term guerra fría metaphorically to describe a tense, silent conflict between two people or families, not just nations.
- In Spanish, the adjective fría can describe not just temperature, but also a lack of emotion or a distant personality, mirroring the 'coldness' of the political conflict.
Examples in context
- La Guerra Fría proseguía.The Cold War continued.This sentence shows the use of the verb to describe the continuation of the Cold War.Tatoeba #1387941 by marcelostockle, translation #804177 by Source_VOA
- Nací durante la Guerra Fría.I was born during the Cold War.This sentence is useful for stating that someone was born during the Cold War.Tatoeba #1666534 by marcelostockle, translation #1654258 by Spamster
- ¿Nos estamos acercando a una nueva Guerra Fría?Are we approaching a new Cold War?This sentence uses the phrase to ask about the possibility of a new Cold War.Tatoeba #2744053 by Shishir, translation #10056556 by DJ_Saidez
- El mundo estuvo en tensión durante el período de la Guerra Fría.The world was in tension during the period of the Cold War.
- La Guerra Fría fue un conflicto de poder entre dos superpotencias.The Cold War was a power conflict between two superpowers.
- El período de la Guerra Fría se caracterizó por una carrera armamentista.The period of the Cold War was characterized by an arms race.
- 7 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two university students are discussing their history assignment in a cafe.
- Mateo¿Entiendes el concepto de la guerra fría?Do you understand the concept of the cold war?
- SofíaSí, Mateo, es un tema complejo.Yes, Mateo, it is a complex topic.
- MateoSofía, ¿tienes tus notas de la clase?Sofía, do you have your class notes?
- SofíaLas tengo en mi mochila.I have them in my backpack.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “cold war” translations and entries guerra fría, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries guerra, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
