If you’re learning Spanish, you might wonder how to say “to be cold” and “to have a cold.” These two phrases may sound similar in English, but in Spanish, they use different verbs and structures. Let’s break down the differences and provide plenty of examples!
1. How to Say “To Be Cold” in Spanish
In Spanish, “to be cold” (referring to a person) is expressed with the verb “tener” (to have), not “ser” or “estar.”
✅ Use “tener frío” when you want to say that someone feels cold:
🔹 Examples:
- Tengo frío. (I am cold.)
- ¿Tienes frío? (Are you cold?)
- Los niños tienen frío porque está nevando. (The kids are cold because it’s snowing.)
🚨 Common mistake: Don’t say “Estoy frío” to mean “I am cold”—it sounds unnatural and could mean something like “I am emotionally distant” or even “I am dead”! 😬
🔹 But “estar frío” CAN be used for objects or body parts:
- El café está frío. (The coffee is cold.)
- Tus manos están frías. (Your hands are cold.)
2. How to Say “To Have a Cold” in Spanish
If you want to say you have a cold, you can use either “tener” or “estar” depending on the structure:
✅ Use “tener un resfriado” or “tener catarro” to say you have a cold:
🔹 Examples:
- Tengo un resfriado. (I have a cold.)
- Mi hermano tiene catarro. (My brother has a cold.)
- No puedo ir al trabajo porque tengo un resfriado. (I can’t go to work because I have a cold.)
💡 “Resfriado” vs. “Catarro”
Both words mean “cold,” but “resfriado” is more commonly used in most Spanish-speaking countries, while “catarro” is more frequent in some regions, like parts of Spain and the Caribbean.
✅ Use “estar resfriado” to say you are feeling sick with a cold:
You can also use “estar” with “resfriado” to describe your condition:
🔹 Examples:
- Estoy resfriado. (I have a cold. / I am congested.)
- ¿Estás resfriada? (Do you have a cold? – talking to a woman)
- No puedo salir hoy, estoy resfriado. (I can’t go out today, I have a cold.)
🚨 Don’t say “tener frío” when you mean “to have a cold.” Saying “Tengo frío” when you’re sick will make people think you’re just feeling cold, not that you have a cold!
3. Key Differences: “Tener frío” vs. “Tener un resfriado” vs. “Estar resfriado”
| English | Spanish | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| To be cold (feel cold) | Tener frío | Tengo frío. ¿Puedes cerrar la ventana? (I’m cold. Can you close the window?) |
| To have a cold (illness) | Tener un resfriado / Tener catarro | No puedo salir hoy, tengo un resfriado. (I can’t go out today, I have a cold.) |
| To have a cold (describing the condition) | Estar resfriado / Estar resfriada | No hables tan cerca, estoy resfriado. (Don’t talk so close, I have a cold.) |
4. Bonus: How to Say “To Catch a Cold” in Spanish
If you want to say “to catch a cold,” you can use:
- “Resfriarse” → Me resfrié (I caught a cold).
- “Agarrar un resfriado” → Ayer salí sin abrigo y agarré un resfriado. (Yesterday I went out without a coat and caught a cold.)
Final Tip
- If you’re feeling cold, say “Tengo frío.”
- If you’re sick with a cold, say “Tengo un resfriado.”
- If you’re describing your condition, say “Estoy resfriado/a.”
Now you know the difference! Have you ever mixed these up before? Let us know in the comments! 😊
