estar resfriado
/estaɾ ɾesfɾjado/from spelling rules
To have a cold in Spanish is estar resfriado.
This phrase is used to describe being in the state of suffering from a common viral infection of the nose and throat.
Which one should you use?
You can say estar resfriado to describe your state of being ill using the verb 'to be', or you can use tener un resfriado to describe the illness itself using the verb 'to have'.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In many Spanish-speaking regions, estar constipado is a common way to say one has a cold, though in English 'constipated' has a different meaning.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective resfriado must agree in gender with the person who has the cold. Use resfriado for males, resfriada for females and resfriados for a group of men or a mixed-gender group.
How do you pronounce it?
/estaɾ ɾesfɾjado/
What mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid saying tener un frío when they mean they are suffering from a viral cold (resfriado).
Did you know?
Examples in context
- Tengo un resfriado y necesito descansar.I have a cold, and I need to rest.
- Él tiene un resfriado y no podrá asistir a la reunión.He has a cold and won't be able to attend the meeting.
- Estoy resfriado y necesito tomar medicamentos.I have a cold, and I need to take medicine.
- Me agarré un resfriado después de estar expuesto al frío.I caught a cold after being exposed to the cold.
- Estoy constipado desde hace dos días y no mejoro.I have had a cold for two days, and I'm not getting better.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries estar, CC BY-SA 4.0.
