helado
/eˈlado/
The English phrase "gelato" can be translated into Spanish as helado.
While helado is the general term for any ice cream, using the word gelato in Spanish often implies a specific, premium or artisanal Italian-style product. For common flavors, you might use fresa for strawberry or vainilla for vanilla.
Meaning: Italian-style ice cream (noun)
Which one should you use?
helado is the general Spanish word for any type of ice cream, whereas gelato refers specifically to the Italian style.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Mexico and Central America, sorbete is often used instead of helado to refer to gelato or flavored ice. In Mexico, nieve is frequently used to refer to a wide range of frozen treats, including gelato.
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun helado is masculine and follows standard Spanish pluralization by adding -s to become helados. Note that the feminine form helada functions as an adjective meaning 'frosty' or 'icy' rather than the noun for ice cream.
Did you know?
- The Spanish word helado and the Italian word gelato are cousins that both come from the Latin word gelātus, meaning 'frozen'.
- While helado refers to a treat, the feminine version helada is used to describe a sudden, killing frost that destroys crops.
- In Mexico, you will often hear people ordering nieve when they want a frozen treat, even if it is not actually made of snow.
Examples in context
- El turista americano exigió "gelato" porque era demasiado moderno como para tomar helado normal.The American tourist insisted on gelato, for he was too hipstery for regular ice cream.This sentence illustrates a situation where someone prefers the specific Italian style over regular helado.Tatoeba #881954 by DanaDescalza, translation #715337 by papabear
- Hace calor, ¿quieres un helado de crema de vainilla?It's hot, would you like a vanilla gelato?
- Este helado de chocolate es delicioso.This chocolate ice cream is delicious.
- ¿Quieres un helado de fresa?Do you want a strawberry ice cream?
Example conversation
Mateo and María are walking through a park on a hot day.
- MateoMaría, hace mucho calor hoy.María, it is very hot today.
- MaríaSí, vamos a comprar un helado.Yes, let's go buy an ice cream.
- Mateo¡Qué buena idea! Yo quiero uno de vainilla.What a good idea! I want a vanilla one.
- MaríaYo prefiero el de chocolate.I prefer the chocolate one.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry helado, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries helado, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
