princesa de hielo
/pɾinθesa de jelo/from spelling rules
The English phrase ice princess is translated into Spanish as princesa de hielo.
This phrase is used metaphorically to describe a woman who is perceived as being cold, distant or emotionally unapproachable.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of princesa (princess), de (of) and hielo (ice).
How does it change in a sentence?
To refer to a male ice prince, change the noun to the masculine form príncipe de hielo. To make the phrase plural, change princesa to princesas to form princesas de hielo.
Did you know?
- The word hielo shares the same ancient root as the English word 'gel', both originating from a Proto-Indo-European term for 'cold'.
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, calling someone a princesa can be a backhanded compliment that implies they are high-maintenance or fragile, rather than just elegant.
- To describe someone who is not just cold but completely devoid of feeling, Spanish speakers might use the phrase corazón de hielo (heart of ice) instead of referring to their royal status.
Examples in context
- La princesa de hielo paseaba elegantemente por el salón.The ice princess walked elegantly through the hall.
- Los ojos de la princesa glacial nunca mostraban emoción alguna.The eyes of the glacial princess never showed any emotion.
- Era conocida como la princesa helada debido a su actitud reservada.She was known as the frozen princess due to her reserved attitude.
- ¡Esa chica es la princesa de hielo del colegio!That girl is the ice princess of the school!
- Ella es la princesa de hielo en el cuento.She is the ice princess in the story.
- ¿Viste la película de la princesa de hielo?Did you see the movie about the ice princess?
- Ese personaje es una princesa de hielo muy poderosa.That character is a very powerful ice princess.
Example conversation
Alejandro and Elena are discussing a cold coworker.
- AlejandroElena, ¿por qué eres una princesa de hielo?Elena, why are you an ice princess?
- ElenaNo soy una princesa de hielo, Alejandro.I am not an ice princess, Alejandro.
- AlejandroPero nunca sonríes cuando hablamos.But you never smile when we talk.
- ElenaSolo estoy concentrada en mi trabajo.I am just focused on my work.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries de, hielo, princesa, CC BY-SA 4.0.
