Learning how to express the concept of cold temperatures in Spanish is useful for everyday conversations and travel situations. Whether you want to convey that you’re feeling cold or describe the weather, this guide will provide you with formal and informal expressions, along with some tips and examples to help you master this essential vocabulary. So, let’s dive into the various ways to express “it is cold” in Spanish!
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Formal Expressions
When speaking formally in Spanish, you might use expressions that you would utilize in more official or professional contexts. Here are a few ways to convey the idea of coldness formally:
1. Hace frío:
The most common and straightforward way to say “it is cold” formally is by using the expression “Hace frío.” This phrase is widely understood throughout the Spanish-speaking world and can be used in various situations. For instance:
Hoy hace frío en la oficina. (It is cold in the office today.)
Me parece que hace frío afuera. (It seems cold outside to me.)
The verb “hacer” is used here to indicate weather conditions, and “frío” means cold. Remember, when using “hace frío,” you don’t need to include the subject pronoun “it” since it is implied within the verb itself.
2. Está haciendo frío:
Another way to express coldness formally is by saying “Está haciendo frío” or “It is getting cold.” This expression emphasizes the ongoing process of the temperature dropping. Here are a couple of examples:
Debemos llevar abrigos, está haciendo frío. (We should wear coats, it is getting cold.)
En esta época del año, está haciendo mucho frío. (This time of the year, it is getting very cold.)
Using “Está haciendo frío” allows you to highlight the current state of the temperature and convey that it is gradually becoming colder.
Informal Expressions
In informal settings, among friends or family, you might want to use more relaxed expressions to describe the cold weather. Here are a few informal ways to convey the idea of coldness in Spanish:
1. Hace un frío que pela:
This colloquial expression is commonly used in various regions of the Spanish-speaking world. It conveys the idea of extreme coldness and translates to “It is freezing.” Take a look at these examples:
Salgamos rápido del parque, hace un frío que pela. (Let’s leave the park quickly, it is freezing.)
¡Hace un frío que pela aquí! (It is freezing here!)
By using “hace un frío que pela,” you can emphasize how cold it is in a more informal and expressive way, adding a touch of humor or exaggeration to your conversation.
2. Está helado/a:
To express extreme coldness, another common phrase is “Está helado” for masculine subjects and “Está helada” for feminine ones, which mean “It is freezing.” This expression allows for more flexibility and is widely used in informal conversations:
No vayas afuera sin abrigo, está helado. (Don’t go outside without a coat, it is freezing.)
¡El agua de la piscina está helada! (The pool water is freezing!)
By using “está helado/a,” you convey a strong sense of coldness and show that the weather or the environment is extremely cold.
Additional Tips and Expressions
Now that you have learned the basic expressions, let’s dive into some additional tips and other useful phrases related to cold weather in Spanish:
1. Layering clothing:
If you want to express that you need to dress warmly due to the cold, use the verb “abrigarse,” which means “to bundle up” or “to dress warmly”. Here’s an example:
Es mejor que te abrigues, hace mucho frío afuera. (You should dress warmly, it is very cold outside.)
2. Describing the intensity of cold:
To describe that it is slightly cold, you can use the phrase “hace fresco.” This expression indicates mild coldness or a cool temperature. For instance:
No hace mucho frío, solo hace fresco. (It’s not very cold, it is just cool.)
3. Regional variations:
Depending on the Spanish-speaking country or region, there might be specific expressions or vocabulary related to cold weather. It’s worth noting that the majority of the phrases mentioned earlier are widely understood in most Spanish-speaking regions. However, if you encounter regional variations in your travels, don’t hesitate to adapt and learn from the locals. This will enrich your language skills and cultural understanding.
In conclusion, now you know various ways to express “it is cold” in both formal and informal contexts in Spanish. Remember, warming up to the language and culture is always valuable, and understanding how to discuss weather conditions is a step toward fluency. Practice using these expressions, adapt them to regional variations, and keep discovering more about the Spanish language. ¡Hasta luego!
