Weather expressions are essential for everyday conversations and describing climate conditions in Spanish-speaking countries. This article covers the essential structures and vocabulary used to talk about the weather in Spanish, including basic terms, temperature descriptions, and regional variations.
Basic Weather Expressions
In Spanish, weather expressions typically use the verb “hacer” (to make/do) or “estar” (to be) with weather conditions. Here are some common expressions:
- Hace sol – It’s sunny
- Está nublado – It’s cloudy
- Llueve – It’s raining
- Nieva – It’s snowing
Examples:
- “Hoy hace sol en Madrid.” (Today it’s sunny in Madrid.)
- “Está nublado en Bogotá.” (It’s cloudy in Bogotá.)
Temperature Descriptions
To describe temperature, Spanish uses “hacer” with adjectives or nouns:
- Hace calor – It’s hot
- Hace frío – It’s cold
- Hace fresco – It’s cool
For specific temperatures, use “estar” with numerical values:
- Están a 25 grados – It’s 25 degrees
Examples:
- “En verano, hace mucho calor en Sevilla.” (In summer, it’s very hot in Seville.)
- “Hoy están a 10 grados bajo cero en Moscú.” (Today it’s 10 degrees below zero in Moscow.)
Precipitation and Wind
For rain and wind, Spanish uses specific verbs or the verb “haber” (there is/are):
- Llueve – It’s raining
- Nieva – It’s snowing
- Hay viento – It’s windy
- Hay tormenta – There’s a storm
Examples:
- “Llueve mucho en Seattle durante el invierno.” (It rains a lot in Seattle during winter.)
- “Hay mucho viento en Chicago hoy.” (It’s very windy in Chicago today.)
Asking About the Weather
To ask about the weather, use these common questions:
- ¿Qué tiempo hace? – What’s the weather like?
- ¿Cómo está el clima? – How’s the climate?
Example:
“¿Qué tiempo hace en Barcelona?” (What’s the weather like in Barcelona?)
Regional Variations
Spanish-speaking countries have regional expressions for weather phenomena:
- Chubasco (Mexico) – Heavy rain shower
- Chirimiri (Northern Spain) – Light, persistent rain
- Páramo (Colombia) – Cold, misty weather in high altitudes
Example:
“En el País Vasco, el chirimiri es muy común.” (In the Basque Country, light persistent rain is very common.)
Conclusion
Mastering these weather expressions will greatly enhance your ability to discuss climate conditions in Spanish. Remember that context and regional differences play a significant role in how weather is described across the Spanish-speaking world. ¡Buena suerte! (Good luck!)