Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| temperatura | /tempeɾaˈtuɾa/ | feminine |
| temple | /ˈtemple/ | masculine |
temperatura is used to express a measure of cold or heat. To describe a pleasant or comfortable temperature, you can say La temperatura es agradable or Está a una temperatura perfecta. To describe gradual temperature changes, you can say Está bajando la temperatura for it getting colder or Está subiendo la temperatura for it getting warmer. To describe extreme heat, you can use Hace un calor sofocante or Hace un calor de mil demonios. For extreme cold, you can use Hace un frío que pela or Hace un frío polar to indicate temperatures below freezing. You can also use Por debajo de cero to convey that temperatures are below zero.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, people often use grados centígrados to refer to Celsius degrees.
How does it change in a sentence?
temperatura is a feminine noun, so it must be used with feminine articles such as la or una.
How do you pronounce it?
/tempeɾaˈtuɾa/
What mistakes should you avoid?
When saying someone has a fever, native speakers more commonly use the phrase tener fiebre rather than tener temperatura.
Did you know?
- While temperatura refers to heat, the related word temple refers to a person's composure or strength of character.
- The Spanish word temperatura shares its roots with the Latin word tempus, meaning 'time'.
- In everyday conversation, Spanish speakers often avoid the noun temperatura entirely, using the verb hace to say 'it makes' heat or cold.
Examples in context
- Le tomé la temperatura.I took his temperature.This sentence is useful for describing the action of taking someone's temperature.Tatoeba #5116046 by ecorralest101, translation #5107872 by Catriona
- ¿Cuál es la temperatura?What is the temperature?This sentence is useful for asking what the current temperature is.Tatoeba #8016918 by pchamorro, translation #25469 by CK
- ¿Cuál es tu temperatura?What's your temperature?This sentence is useful for asking someone what their specific temperature is.Tatoeba #9430317 by ignacio, translation #9430496 by DJ_Saidez
- 76 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Sofía and Javier are talking about the weather.
- SofíaLa temperatura está bajando mucho hoy.The temperature is dropping a lot today.
- JavierSí, hace frío afuera.Yes, it is cold outside.
- Sofía¿Sabes cuál es la temperatura exacta?Do you know what the exact temperature is?
- JavierCreo que son diez grados.I think it is ten degrees.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “temperature” translations and entries temperatura, temple, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries temperatura, temple, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
