escalofríos
/eskalofɾios/from spelling rules
In Spanish, the phrase for "the creeps" is escalofríos.
The term refers to a feeling of fear or disgust that causes a tingling sensation on the skin. To express that something "gives you the creeps", you use the verb dar (to give) followed by escalofríos.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Mexico, the word tétrico may be used instead of siniestro to describe something or someone eerie or creepy. In Spain, the colloquial phrase poner los pelos de punta is used to convey a creepy feeling.
How does it change in a sentence?
When saying something gives you the creeps, you use the indirect object pronoun me to indicate who is experiencing the sensation, as in me da escalofríos.
How do you pronounce it?
/eskalofɾios/
Did you know?
- While escalofríos refers to the sensation, Spanish speakers often use the phrase me pone la piel de gallina to say something gives them 'goosebumps'.
- The expression dar escalofríos can be used for both negative fear and positive excitement, such as the 'chills' one gets from a beautiful piece of music.
- While escalofríos can mean 'the creeps', it is also the standard medical term for 'chills' or 'shivers' when someone has a fever.
Examples in context
- Tom me da escalofríos.Tom gives me the creeps.This sentence is useful for saying that a person gives you the creeps using escalofríos.Tatoeba #2707980 by emanuel81, translation #1025685 by CK
- Mi suegra me da escalofríos.My mother-in-law gives me the creeps.Tatoeba #1112904 by hayastan, translation #1112893 by hayastan
- Este lugar me da escalofríos.This place gives me the creeps.This sentence is useful for saying that a place gives you the creeps using escalofríos.Tatoeba #1646592 by Shishir, translation #3152269 by CK
- Me das escalofríosYou give me the creeps
- Ese tipo me da mal rolloThat guy gives me the creeps
- Ese lugar es tétricoThat place is creepy
Example conversation
Alejandro and Lucía are walking through a dark, abandoned house.
- AlejandroEsa película de terror me dio escalofríos.That horror movie gave me the creeps.
- LucíaEs verdad, me da escalofríos este pasillo.It's true, this hallway gives me the creeps.
- AlejandroNo tengas miedo, Lucía.Don't be afraid, Lucía.
- LucíaEs que todo esto me da escalofríos.It's just that all of this gives me the creeps.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry escalofríos, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
