nieve
/ˈnjebe/feminine
The English word "snow" translates to Spanish as nieve.
nieve refers to the crystalline state of water that falls from the atmosphere as precipitation or the white layer of accumulation on the ground. If you want to talk about a snowstorm, use tormenta de nieve or if you are describing snow-covered mountains, use montañas cubiertas de nieve.
Meaning: partly frozen, crystalline state of water that falls from the atmosphere as precipitation in flakes, falling of such flakes, accumulation of them as a white layer (noun)
Which one should you use?
While nieve is the noun used for the substance itself, the related verb nevar is used to describe the action of the snow falling.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun nieve is feminine, which is why it is used with the feminine article la to form la nieve. When describing the weather, the verb nevar is used impersonally, so you use the third-person singular form nieva to say "it snows".
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈnjebe/
Did you know?
- In some Latin American countries, the term nieve is used to describe a traditional fruit sorbet or shaved ice treat rather than just frozen precipitation.
- The English word 'snow' and the Spanish word nieve are distant linguistic cousins, both tracing back to the same Proto-Indo-European root *sneygʷʰ-.
- While English uses 'snow' for both the substance and the weather event, Spanish speakers often use nieve for the substance and nevada to refer specifically to a 'snowfall'.
Examples in context
- La nieve no para.The snow doesn't stop.This sentence shows how to say the snow does not stop using nieve.Tatoeba #6674845 by arh, translation #9550124 by ChurroC
- Me gusta la nieve.I love snow.This sentence expresses a love for snow using nieve.Tatoeba #741809 by Shishir, translation #740938 by CK
- Le gusta la nieve.He likes snow.This sentence describes someone liking snow using nieve.Tatoeba #4482228 by cueyayotl, translation #2858649 by Amastan
- La nieve es blanca y fríaSnow is white and cold
- Hubo una nevada en las montañasThere was a snowfall in the mountains
- 275 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Daniel and Sofía are looking out the window during a storm.
- DanielMira cuánta nieve hay afuera.Look how much snow there is outside.
- SofíaSí, la nieve es preciosa.Yes, the snow is beautiful.
- DanielPero el coche no pasará con esta nieve.But the car won't pass with this snow.
- SofíaEntonces nos quedaremos en casa.Then we will stay at home.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “snow” translations and entries nieve, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries nieve, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
