When it comes to discussing temperatures in Spanish, it’s essential to know how to express “degrees Celsius” correctly. Whether you need to communicate temperature conversions, discuss the weather, or simply engage in small talk, knowing the appropriate terms for degrees Celsius in Spanish will be incredibly useful. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore formal and informal ways to express this concept, providing you with various tips and examples to enhance your language skills.
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Formal Ways to Say “Degrees Celsius” in Spanish
If you prefer a more formal approach or need to use proper terminology in professional settings, here are some phrases to express “degrees Celsius” formally:
1. Grados Celsius
Grados Celsius is the most common formal term used to say “degrees Celsius” in Spanish. It directly translates to “degrees Celsius” in English. This expression is widely understood and accepted throughout the Spanish-speaking world.
Por favor, ¿cuál es la temperatura actual en grados Celsius?
(Please, what is the current temperature in degrees Celsius?)
2. Celsius
Celsius, pronounced similarly to the English word, is also used as a formal term to denote “degrees Celsius” in Spanish. This word is particularly prevalent in technical or scientific contexts.
Recuerde configurar el horno a 180 grados Celsius.
(Remember to set the oven to 180 degrees Celsius.)
Informal Ways to Say “Degrees Celsius” in Spanish
On more casual occasions, when engaging in everyday conversations or seeking a less formal tone, you can use the following phrases to express “degrees Celsius” informally:
1. Grados
When the context makes it clear that you are discussing temperature, you can simply use the term grados (degrees) without specifying Celsius explicitly. This is a common practice in informal conversations, especially when referring to weather temperatures.
¡Hace tanto calor hoy! Según el pronóstico, alcanzaremos los 30 grados.
(It’s so hot today! According to the forecast, we will reach 30 degrees.)
2. Grados centígrados
A slightly more formal but still widely understood phrase for “degrees Celsius” is grados centígrados. While not as frequently used as grados Celsius, it remains a valid way to express temperature in daily conversations.
¿Podrías decirme cuántos grados centígrados hace afuera?
(Could you tell me how many degrees Celsius it is outside?)
Regional Variations
While the phrases mentioned above are generally understood across the Spanish-speaking world, there can be slight regional variations in certain countries. Here are a few examples:
1. Grados centígrados vs. grados Celsius
In Spain and some Latin American countries, such as Mexico and Venezuela, the term grados centígrados is more commonly used. In contrast, grados Celsius is typically favored in other Latin American countries.
2. Otros sistemas de medida
In some Spanish-speaking regions, particularly those close to the United States, people might also refer to temperatures in Fahrenheit. It’s worth noting that these conversions may not be as common or accurate, but they are occasionally used.
Tips and Examples
Here are some additional tips and examples to help you further enhance your understanding and usage of temperature-related vocabulary in Spanish:
1. Conversión de temperatura
If you need to convert temperatures from Celsius to Fahrenheit or vice versa, here are a couple of handy phrases:
- Para convertir grados Celsius a grados Fahrenheit, utiliza la fórmula: °F = (°C × 9/5) + 32.
(To convert degrees Celsius to degrees Fahrenheit, use the formula: °F = (°C × 9/5) + 32.) - Para convertir grados Fahrenheit a grados Celsius, utiliza la fórmula: °C = (°F – 32) × 5/9.
(To convert degrees Fahrenheit to degrees Celsius, use the formula: °C = (°F – 32) × 5/9.)
2. Discussing the weather
When talking about the weather, use the verb hacer (to make) to describe temperature:
- ¿Cuántos grados hace hoy? – Hace 25 grados.
(How many degrees is it today? – It’s 25 degrees.) - Hace mucho frío afuera. ¡Abrígate bien!
(It’s very cold outside. Bundle up well!)
3. Using weather-related vocabulary
Expand your vocabulary by learning weather-related terms, such as sunny, rainy, or windy, to better describe temperature conditions:
- Hoy hace sol y hace 30 grados.
(Today is sunny, and it’s 30 degrees.) - Está lloviendo y hace mucho frío.
(It’s raining, and it’s very cold.) - Hay mucho viento hoy. Cuidado al salir.
(It’s very windy today. Be careful going out.)
Remember, practice makes perfect! The more you engage with the language and immerse yourself in conversations, the more comfortable you’ll become with expressing temperature in Spanish. Use these phrases, tips, and examples as a starting point to develop your language skills and confidently discuss temperatures in any setting.
