Winter expressions: speak like a native when the cold arrives
Winter in Spain doesn’t just bring hot chocolate, scarves and shorter days; it also comes loaded with typical expressions that native speakers use almost without thinking. If you’re already taking classes, learning these phrases will make your Spanish sound more authentic, and you’ll be able to complain about the cold like any native speaker.
Below, we’ve compiled some of the most interesting, funny, and commonly used winter expressions.
1. “Hace un frío que pela”
This expression means that it is extremely cold, so much so that it “stings” or “peels” your skin. It is not literal (no one loses their skin by going outside!), but it perfectly reflects that icy wind that makes you regret not wearing more clothes.
Example: “He salido sin guantes y hace un frío que pela. ¡Creo que mis manos todavía están en la parada del autobús!”
(I went out without gloves and it’s freezing cold. I think my hands are still at the bus stop!).
2. “Hace un frío de narices / de mil demonios”
There are variations for all tastes, and they all mean the same thing: it’s very cold. The more exaggerated, the more Spanish the expression.
Example: “Hoy hace un frío de narices. Si hubiera pingüinos en mi barrio, estarían tiritando”.
(It’s freezing cold today. If there were penguins in my neighbourhood, they’d be shivering).
3. “Estoy congelado / Estoy tieso de frío”
When someone says this, it doesn’t mean that they have literally turned into an ice cube, but rather that they are so cold that they can hardly move.
Example: “Entré al supermercado y el aire acondicionado estaba tan fuerte que salí más congelado que los guisantes del pasillo tres.”
(I went into the supermarket and the air conditioning was so strong that I came out colder than the peas in aisle three).
4. “Hace un frío que te cala los huesos”
This expression is perfect for describing a damp cold, the kind you feel deep inside and that even a radiator can’t warm you up from.
Example: “Fui a dar un paseo por la playa… error. El frío me caló los huesos y aún estoy intentando recuperarme.”
(I went for a walk on the beach… mistake. The cold chilled me to the bone and I’m still trying to recover).
5. “Parece Siberia”
This is used when a place is extremely cold. It doesn’t matter if you’ve never been to Siberia: all Spaniards use it as a reference.
Example: “En mi oficina parece Siberia. Creo que el jefe quiere que trabajemos rápido para entrar en calor.”
(My office feels like Siberia. I think the boss wants us to work fast to warm up).
6. “No siento ni las orejas”
A classic Spanish winter phrase… A funny way of saying that it’s so cold that certain parts of your body seem not to exist anymore.
Example: “Volví de sacar al perro y no siento ni las orejas… ¡y él tan feliz en la nieve!”
(I came back from walking the dog and I can’t feel my ears… and he’s so happy in the snow!).
7. “Estar helado como un témpano”
A tempano is a block of ice. So, you can imagine what this expression means: to be completely frozen.
Example: “Volví en moto a casa y terminé helado como un témpano. Creo que no me he descongelado del todo.”
(I rode my motorbike home and ended up frozen like an iceberg. I don’t think I’ve completely thawed out yet).
8. “Parece que va a caer la del pulpo”
Although it is also used to refer to heavy rain, in winter it usually refers to the arrival of a cold storm, wind and bad weather in general.
Example: “Sal rápido a comprar antes de que caiga la del pulpo, que el cielo está de un humor horrible.”
(Hurry up and go shopping before it rains cats and dogs, the sky looks terrible).
9. “Huele a chimenea”
More than an idiomatic expression, this is a very common phrase in Spanish villages when winter arrives. It describes the smell of burning wood that announces that the houses are warm inside.
Example: “En cuanto olí a chimenea supe que el invierno había llegado a mi pueblo.”
(As soon as I smelled the fireplace, I knew that winter had arrived in my village).
How to use these expressions in your daily life.
Learning idiomatic expressions not only helps improve your fluency, but also gives you a better understanding of Spanish culture.
Try using them during conversations with your teachers and classmates in your Spanish classes. You’ll surely get a few laughs and more than a few “¡Muy bien dicho!” (Well said!) comments!
What’s more, these idioms will help you communicate more naturally when the cold becomes more intense. And, as you may have noticed, we Spaniards love to exaggerate a little… especially when it comes to the weather.
And if you want to know more, this article will help you enrich your winter Spanish with more colloquial expressions.
At our Spanish school, El Rincón del Tándem, we encourage you to practise your Spanish both inside and outside the classroom. If you’re planning to take Spanish classes, take a look at our list of courses!
See you soon!
