nevera
/neˈbeɾa/
The English phrase "ice box" is translated into Spanish as nevera.
nevera refers to the large kitchen appliance used to keep food and drinks cold. When referring to the appliance in a sentence, you typically use the definite article la before it, as in la nevera.
Which one should you use?
While nevera is widely understood, other terms may be preferred depending on the context or location. refrigerador is often preferred in Mexico and parts of Latin America, whereas frigorífico is more common in Spain.
Is it said differently in some regions?
refrigerador is common in Mexico and parts of Latin America, and frigorífico is more frequent in Spain.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of nevera is neveras.
How do you pronounce it?
/neˈbeɾa/
Did you know?
- In some regions, the word nevera refers to a natural snow pit or a man-made ice house used in antiquity to store winter snow for the summer.
- While refrigerador and frigorífico share a root with 'refrigerator', nevera comes from the root for 'snow', making it a more poetic way to describe the cooling process.
- The term heladera used in Argentina comes from the word helado, meaning 'ice cream', suggesting the appliance is a machine for making things frozen.
Examples in context
- La nevera es muy grande.The ice box is very large.
- No hay leche en la nevera.There is no milk in the ice box.
Example conversation
Javier and Elena are in the kitchen preparing a meal.
- Javier¿Dónde está la mantequilla, Elena?Where is the butter, Elena?
- ElenaEstá dentro de la nevera, Javier.It is inside the refrigerator, Javier.
- JavierNo la veo aquí.I don't see it here.
- ElenaBusca detrás de los huevos.Look behind the eggs.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry nevera, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
