me resfrié
/me ɾesfɾje/from spelling rules
The English phrase "I caught a cold" is translated into Spanish as me resfrié.
This phrase is used to say that you have become sick with a common cold.
What does it mean word for word?
The expression me resfrié is a reflexive construction. The word me indicates that the action is happening to the speaker, and resfrié is the first-person singular past tense of the verb resfriarse.
Which one should you use?
Use me resfrié to describe the specific moment you became sick. In contrast, if you want to describe your current state of being sick with a cold, you would say estoy resfriado.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Mexico, the word resfriado is commonly heard as catarro. In certain other regions, the term constipado might be replaced by constipación.
How does it change in a sentence?
Another common way to express this idea is through the phrase me dio un resfriado.
How do you pronounce it?
/me ɾesfɾje/
Did you know?
- In Spain, the word constipado is common for having a cold, but in Latin America, constipación usually refers to constipation. Using the wrong term in the wrong country can lead to a very embarrassing medical misunderstanding.
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, people believe that taking a bath or washing your hair while you have a resfriado can make the illness worse.
- The Spanish word resfriado comes from frío, meaning 'cold'. While English speakers 'catch' a cold as if it were an object, the Spanish verb resfriarse literally describes the process of becoming chilled.
Examples in context
- Creo que me resfrié.I'm afraid I caught a cold.This sentence is useful for expressing uncertainty about having caught a cold using me resfrié.Tatoeba #666695 by leoruilova, translation #38376 by CM
- Me resfrié.I caught a cold.This sentence is a direct way to state that you caught a cold using me resfrié.Tatoeba #1332496 by Shishir, translation #261585 by CK
- Ayer, me resfrié.I caught a cold yesterday.This sentence shows how to use me resfrié when mentioning that the illness happened yesterday.Tatoeba #751874 by chinopinyin, translation #257807 by Swift
- He cogido un constipado, por lo que no podré asistir a la reunión de mañana. ¿Podríamos reprogramarla?I have caught a cold, so I won't be able to attend tomorrow's meeting. Could we reschedule it?
- ¡Ay, tío! Me agarré un gripazo terrible y no puedo salir de casa. Necesito descansar y recuperarme.Oh, dude! I caught a terrible cold and can't leave the house. I need to rest and recover.
Example conversation
Javier and Elena are talking on the phone.
- ElenaHola Javier, no puedo ir a la fiesta.Hello Javier, I cannot go to the party.
- Javier¿Por qué, Elena? ¿Estás bien?Why, Elena? Are you okay?
- ElenaNo, creo que me resfrié.No, I think I caught a cold.
- JavierLo siento mucho, descansa mucho.I am very sorry, get lots of rest.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
