Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| refrigerador | /refɾixeɾaˈdoɾ/ | Bolivia, Chile, Cuba, Mexico, masculine |
| frigorífico | /fɾiɡoˈɾifiko/ | Spain, masculine |
| heladera | /elaˈdeɾa/ | Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay, feminine |
| nevera | /neˈbeɾa/ | Colombia, Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, feminine |
| refrigeradora | /refɾixeɾaˈdoɾa/ | Central America, Ecuador, Peru, feminine |
| frío | /ˈfɾio/ | Cuba, colloquial, masculine |
| frigider | /fɾixiˈdeɾ/ | masculine |
All provided forms refer to the household appliance used to keep food and drinks cold.
What does it mean word for word?
refrigerador is a direct cognate of the English word refrigerator.
Which one should you use?
The gender of the word changes depending on the form used: refrigerador and frigorífico are masculine, while heladera, nevera and refrigeradora are feminine. For example, while refrigerador is masculine, the common term heladera used in the Southern Cone is feminine.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
refrigerador is a suitable term for formal conversations. In some regions, such as Cuba, you may hear the colloquial masculine form frío.
Is it said differently in some regions?
Spanish speakers use different terms depending on where they are located. In Spain, frigorífico is the preferred term. In Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay, heladera is the most common term. In Colombia, Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico, nevera is the go-to term. In Mexico and Cuba, refrigerador is regularly used, though nevera is also used in Mexico. In Bolivia, Chile, Cuba and Mexico, refrigerador is common. In Central America, Ecuador and Peru, refrigeradora is used. In the Caribbean, the informal diminutive neverita is often used to refer to a small or compact refrigerator.
How does it change in a sentence?
Because nevera is a feminine noun, it must be preceded by feminine articles like la or una.
How do you pronounce it?
/refɾixeɾaˈdoɾ/
Did you know?
- In many Spanish-speaking regions, nevera can refer to both a large kitchen refrigerator and a portable plastic cooler used for trips to the beach.
- While frigorífico is the standard term in Spain, using it in the Americas might make a speaker sound overly formal or technical.
- The word nevera is derived from nevero, a term related to 'snow'.
Examples in context
- La heladera está sucia.The refrigerator is dirty.This sentence describes the cleanliness of the heladera.Tatoeba #5022302 by don_ramon, translation #5162342 by CarpeLanam
- Tom abrió el refrigerador.Tom opened the refrigerator.This sentence describes an action involving the refrigerador.Tatoeba #1174958 by marcelostockle, translation #1164345 by CK
- Hay leche en el frigorífico.There is milk in the refrigerator.This sentence mentions the presence of milk in the frigorífico.Tatoeba #885628 by Shishir, translation #885493 by CC
- Por favor, póngalo en la neveraPlease put it in the refrigerator
- Asegúrate de cerrar bien el refrigeradorMake sure to close the refrigerator tightly
- El queso debe mantenerse en el frigoríficoThe cheese should be kept in the refrigerator
- ¿Puedes poner la leche en la heladera?Can you put the milk in the refrigerator?
- Guárdame una cerveza en la neveritaKeep me a beer in the refrigerator
- 70 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Daniel and Elena are in their kitchen looking at a broken appliance.
- Daniel¿Qué le pasa al refrigerador, Elena?What is wrong with the refrigerator, Elena?
- ElenaEstá muy caliente, Daniel.It is very hot, Daniel.
- DanielCreo que debemos llamar al técnico.I think we should call the technician.
- ElenaSí, por favor, hazlo ahora.Yes, please, do it now.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “refrigerator” translations and entries refrigerador, frigorífico, heladera, nevera, refrigeradora, frío, frigider, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries heladera, nevera, refrigerador, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
