Unlocking Spanish Weather Talk: How to Say “It’s Cold” and “It’s Sunny”

Estimated reading time: 7 minutes

When learning a new language, one of the most common small-talk topics is the weather. In Spanish, there are specific ways to express various weather conditions that might seem different from English and Hindi. In this blog, we’ll explore how to talk about the weather in Spanish, focusing on phrases like “Hace frío” (It’s cold) and “Está soleado” (It’s sunny). We will dive deep into the structure, usage, and nuances of these expressions, and compare them with English and Hindi, to help you grasp the similarities and differences.

Introduction to Spanish Weather Expressions

In Spanish, weather expressions generally use specific verbs that might seem unusual to English or Hindi speakers. Two common verbs used are hacer (to do/make) and estar (to be), depending on the type of weather condition. For example, to say “It’s cold” in Spanish, you would say “Hace frío,” literally translating to “It makes cold.” Meanwhile, for “It’s sunny,” you would say “Está soleado,” which follows a structure similar to English: “It is sunny.”

In Hindi, weather expressions often use verbs similar to Spanish in that they are action-based, as in “Thand ho rahi hai” (It’s getting cold). English, on the other hand, tends to use the verb “to be,” as in “It is cold.”

Let’s take a closer look at how these patterns work in Spanish, and how they compare to their English and Hindi counterparts.

Breakdown of Spanish Weather Grammar Patterns

1. Hace + Noun

The verb hacer (to make or to do) is commonly used when describing general weather conditions that involve cold, heat, or wind.

• Hace frío – It’s cold (Literal: “It makes cold.”)
• Hace calor – It’s hot (Literal: “It makes heat.”)
• Hace viento – It’s windy (Literal: “It makes wind.”)

Usage:
This construction is used when referring to weather conditions that involve sensations or forces we feel, such as temperature or wind. This pattern is unique to Spanish, as English and Hindi directly use the verb “to be” or equivalent verbs to describe weather conditions.

• English: “It is cold.”
• Hindi: Thand ho rahi hai (ठंड हो रही है – It is cold.)

While Hindi shares a similar meaning-based structure to Spanish, English uses a subject-verb pattern that focuses on the condition (“is” + adjective).

2. Está + Adjective

The verb estar (to be) is used to describe specific weather conditions that have a more temporary or observable state, such as the sun shining or the sky being clear.

• Está soleado – It’s sunny (Literal: “It is sunny.”)
• Está nublado – It’s cloudy (Literal: “It is cloudy.”)
• Está lluvioso – It’s rainy (Literal: “It is rainy.”)

Usage:
This construction is more familiar to English speakers because it mirrors the “It is” pattern. Hindi, on the other hand, often combines auxiliary verbs to express these ideas, e.g., Dhoop nikal rahi hai (धूप निकल रही है – The sun is shining).

3. Hay + Noun

The verb haber (to have) is used when referring to the existence of something weather-related, such as fog or storms.

• Hay niebla – There is fog.
• Hay tormenta – There is a storm.

Usage:
This structure translates closely to the English “There is/are” construction. In Hindi, you might use hai (है – is/are) for similar sentences, e.g., Yahaan kohra hai (यहाँ कोहरा है – There is fog here).

Comparing Spanish, English, and Hindi Weather Expressions

In all three languages, weather expressions focus on describing conditions. However, the verbs used differ significantly.

• Spanish often uses hacer or estar, emphasizing action or temporary states.
• English prefers the simple “to be” to describe weather.
• Hindi often incorporates auxiliary verbs, which describe ongoing or current states, such as ho rahi hai (हो रही है – is happening).

For instance, the sentence “Hace frío” translates to English as “It is cold” and in Hindi as “Thand ho rahi hai.” While the overall meanings are the same, the verb structures highlight the linguistic differences.

Exceptions and Special Cases

Although the patterns above cover most weather-related phrases, there are some exceptions and nuances.

1. Neutral Weather Conditions:
   For expressions like “It’s nice weather,” Spanish uses Hace buen tiempo, which translates to “It makes good weather,” instead of using an adjective like “nice.” In Hindi, you might say Mausam achha hai (मौसम अच्छा है – The weather is good), directly reflecting the subject.
2. Regional Variations:
   In certain regions, especially in Latin America, variations in weather expressions exist. For instance, instead of Está soleado, you might hear Hay sol (There is sun). Both forms are grammatically correct, but usage varies depending on the region.
3. Extreme Weather Conditions:
   For extreme or unusual weather conditions, you might use estar or hay to indicate temporary states, such as Hay huracán (There is a hurricane), or Está nevando (It is snowing).

• Exploring the Many Uses of ‘Hay’ in Spanish: A Comprehensive Guide
• Embrace the Beauty of Language and Nature
• Mastering the Subjunctive Mood in Spanish: Your Ultimate Guide to Expressing Desires, Doubts, and Uncertainties
• Understanding the Usage of “Desde,” “Desde Hace,” and “Hace… Que” in Spanish
• Understanding the Usage of “Desde,” “Desde Hace,” and “Hace… Que” in Spanish: A Comprehensive Guide

Example Sentences

1. Hace frío
   • Spanish: Hace frío.
   • English: It makes cold.
   • Hindi: ठंड हो रही है (Thand ho rahi hai).
2. Hace calor
   • Spanish: Hace calor.
   • English: It makes heat.
   • Hindi: गर्मी हो रही है (Garmi ho rahi hai).
3. Está soleado
   • Spanish: Está soleado.
   • English: It is sunny.
   • Hindi: धूप निकल रही है (Dhoop nikal rahi hai).
4. Está nublado
   • Spanish: Está nublado.
   • English: It is cloudy.
   • Hindi: बादल छाए हुए हैं (Badal chaaye hue hain).
5. Hay niebla
   • Spanish: Hay niebla.
   • English: There is fog.
   • Hindi: यहाँ कोहरा है (Yahaan kohra hai).
6. Hay tormenta
   • Spanish: Hay tormenta.
   • English: There is a storm.
   • Hindi: तूफ़ान है (Toofan hai).

FAQs on Spanish Weather Expressions

Conclusion

Talking about the weather in Spanish is an essential skill for learners, especially in casual conversations. Understanding when to use hacer, estar, and haber to describe weather conditions will not only improve your fluency but also give you insights into the linguistic structure of Spanish. By comparing these patterns with English and Hindi, you can make connections that help reinforce your learning.

Now that you’re equipped with weather-related expressions, practice using them in real conversations to solidify your understanding. Whether it’s frío, calor, or sol, you’ll be ready to talk about it with confidence

Enhance Your Spanish Skills!

To improve your Spanish further, consider enrolling in our Spanish Course at Learn Languages Store for just Rs. 16,300. Our courses are designed to help you build a strong foundation in the Spanish language in a fun and engaging way.

Contact Us to Learn More!

For more information about our courses, feel free to reach out to us at:

Address:
330, 3rd Floor, Big Splash (Near Vashi Bus Depot),
Sector 17, Vashi,
Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra 400703

Phone: +91-9594113111
Email: services@learnlanguages.store

Don’t miss the opportunity to enhance your language skills! Sign up today and start your journey to fluency in Spanish!