nevada
/neˈbada/feminine
The English word "snowfall" can be translated into Spanish as nevada. If unsure, use nevada. Wiktionary also lists nevasca and nevazo.
Meaning: instance of falling of snow (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| nevada | /neˈbada/ | feminine |
| nevasca | /neˈbaska/ | feminine |
| nevazo | /nebaθo/ (Spain, from spelling rules) /nebaso/ (Latin America, from spelling rules) |
masculine |
| nevisca | /neˈbiska/ | feminine |
| papacara | /papakaɾa/ (from spelling rules) | feminine |
The term refers to an instance of falling of snow.
Which one should you use?
nevada is the standard, neutral term for a snowfall event. In contrast, nevasca implies a much more intense, stormy and potentially dangerous snowfall than nevada. nevazo is a colloquial way to describe a sudden, heavy or particularly impactful snowfall.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of nevada is nevadas and the plural form of nevasca is nevascas.
How do you pronounce it?
/neˈbada/
When do people say it?
In some regions, particularly in Latin America, "nieve" may commonly refer to ice cream.
Did you know?
- The word nevada shares a common ancestor with the English word 'snow', both tracing back to the Proto-Indo-European root *sneygʷʰ-.
- The term papacara is a highly regional way to describe a specific type of snowfall, showing how much Spanish vocabulary can vary by geography.
- The suffix in nevazo is an augmentative. In Spanish, this doesn't just mean the snowfall was larger, but that it was sudden and shocking.
Examples in context
- Vino a pesar de la gran nevada.He came, despite the heavy snowfall.This sentence shows how to describe someone arriving despite a nevada.Tatoeba #1067480 by Shishir, translation #868554 by LittleBoy
- Jamás hemos tenido una nevada tan intensa.We have never had such a heavy snowfall.This sentence describes the intensity of a nevada.Tatoeba #2944684 by marcelostockle, translation #56241 by CC
- El tren estaba retrasado debido a una intensa nevada.The train was delayed by a heavy snowfall.This sentence explains how a nevada can cause a train delay.Tatoeba #2944683 by marcelostockle, translation #326245 by CK
- La nevada de hoy es impresionante.Today's snowfall is impressive.
- ¡Está nevando mucho hoy!It's snowing a lot today!
- 1 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lucía and Alejandro are looking out the window at a snowy morning.
- Lucía¿Viste la nevada de anoche?Did you see last night's snowfall?
- AlejandroSí, fue una nevada increíble.Yes, it was an incredible snowfall.
- LucíaAhora todo el paisaje es blanco.Now the whole landscape is white.
- AlejandroEs una vista preciosa, Lucía.It is a beautiful view, Lucía.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “snowfall” translations and entries nevada, nevasca, nevisca, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries nevada, nevisca, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
