água fria
The English phrase "cold water" is translated into Portuguese as água fria.
The phrase is used to describe water with a low temperature. Depending on the specific temperature you want to convey, there are different options: água fria typically refers to cool water, while água gelada is used for water that is very cold or ice-cold. If you specifically want water containing ice cubes, you would say água com gelo.
Which one should you use?
The choice of phrase depends on how cold the water is. água fria refers to cool water that is less cold than água gelada, which describes water that is very cold or ice-cold. Additionally, if you are in an informal setting with friends, you might hear the term água geladinha.
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun água is feminine, so the adjective must also be feminine to agree with it, as seen in água fria. To express the plural "cold waters", use águas frias.
Did you know?
- While água fria means cold water, the expression jogar água fria is used idiomatically to mean 'throwing cold water' on an idea or discouraging someone's enthusiasm.
- The Portuguese word for water, água, is used in the term água-de-colônia, which refers to a light cologne or perfume rather than actual water.
- Adding the suffix -inha to create geladinha does not just mean the water is smaller or less cold, but often conveys a sense of refreshment and pleasure.
Examples in context
- Água fria, por favor.Cold water, please.This sentence is useful for requesting cold water.Tatoeba #975809 by alexmarcelo, translation #362740 by blay_paul
- Traz-me uma água fria.Bring me some cold water.This sentence is useful for asking someone to bring you cold water.Tatoeba #926001 by alexmarcelo, translation #326051 by CK
- Sinto a água fria e o ar quente.I feel the cold water and the warm air.This sentence is useful for describing the sensation of cold water and warm air.Tatoeba #9152019 by carlosalberto, translation #9151951 by carlosalberto
- Gostaria de um copo de água gelada, por favorI would like a glass of cold water, please.
- Me arranja um copo de água fria?Can you get me a glass of cold water?
- 12 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Camila and Felipe are in the kitchen after a workout.
- CamilaFelipe, você quer água fria?Felipe, do you want cold water?
- FelipeSim, eu preciso de água fria agora.Yes, I need cold water now.
- CamilaTemos muita água fria na geladeira.We have plenty of cold water in the fridge.
- FelipeObrigado, Camila.Thank you, Camila.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
