Hace mal tiempo
/aθe mal tjempo/from spelling rules
In Spanish, the phrase for "the weather is bad" is Hace mal tiempo.
This phrase is used to describe current atmospheric conditions that are unpleasant, such as when it is raining or snowing. You might also use the word tormenta to refer to a storm.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase literally translates to "It makes bad weather" because Spanish uses the verb hacer (to make/do) to express weather conditions.
Which one should you use?
While Hace mal tiempo is the standard way to express that the weather is bad, other variations exist depending on the intensity of the feeling and the level of formality.
What mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid saying El tiempo es malo. While this is a word-for-word translation of the English phrase, native speakers use the verb hacer instead of ser to describe weather.
Did you know?
- In Spain, a very common way to say the weather is bad without using mal tiempo is to say está feo, which literally means 'it is ugly'.
- If you were to say El tiempo es malo, you would sound like you are describing the moral character of time itself rather than the rain or wind.
- The word tiempo in Hace mal tiempo shares the same ancient root as the English word 'tempo'.
Examples in context
- Hace un tiempo horrible para salir.It's awful weather to go out.
- ¡El clima está fatal! Mejor quedémonos en casa.The weather is terrible! Let's stay at home.
- Hace mal tiempo hoy.The weather is bad today.
- No salgas, hace mal tiempo.Don't go out, the weather is bad.
- Hace mal tiempo en la montaña.The weather is bad in the mountains.
Example conversation
Sofía and Daniel are talking about their hiking plans.
- Sofía¿Vamos a la montaña?Are we going to the mountains?
- DanielNo, hace mal tiempo ahora.No, the weather is bad now.
- SofíaEs una lástima, Daniel.That's a shame, Daniel.
- DanielSí, mejor nos quedamos en casa.Yes, better we stay at home.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries hace, mal, tiempo, CC BY-SA 4.0.
