In English, we almost always the same verbs:

I’m cold / I feel cold / it is cold

In Spanish, the idea of cold (frío) is expressed in different ways depending on the context.

To express the concept of coldness in Spanish, we often use the verb Ser, estar, tener, sentir and sentirse in specific contexts, emphasizing its importance in understanding the language. These verbs Ser, estar, tener, sentir, sentirse are crucial for mastering these nuances.

And each one means something different.

 

SER frío

If we are referring to a person, ser frío is not about temperature.

It talks about personality.

  • Juan es frío.
    Juan is cold (emotionally distant).

The one who could literally say “Soy frío” and refer to the temperature is an ice cube, for example!

 

ESTAR frío

Estar frío can refer to temporary temperature of a thing.

  • El café está frío.
    The coffee is cold.
  • Hoy está frío
  • Today it is cold.

TENER frío

TENER + noun

Frío in this case is used as a noun (el frío)

Iti s the answer to the question “¿qué tengo?” (what do I have?)

Tener frío is the most common way to talk about feeling cold physically.

It describes a general physical state.

  • Tengo frío. ¿Cerramos la ventana?
    I’m cold. Shall we close the window?

It’s the most natural equivalent of I’m cold.

SENTIR frío

SENTIR + noun

Frío in this case is used as a noun (el frío).

Iti s the answer to the question “¿qué siento?” (what do I feel?)

And it is synonymous of “tener frío”. There is only a little difference.

Sentir frío focuses even more on the physical sensation.

It’s more specific, more physical tan “tengo frío”

  • Siento frío en las manos.
    I feel cold in my hands.

SENTIRSE frío

SENTIRSE + adjetivo

SENTIRSE + adjetive

Frío es used as a quality (frío -fría- fríos – frías)

Iti s the answer to the question “¿cómo me siento?” (how do I feel?)

It’s used to talk about how you feel something.

  • Los metales se sienten fríos.
    Metals feel cold
  • El cuerpo del paciente se siente frío, dice el doctor.
  • The patient’s body feels cold, says the doctor.

HACER frío

Hacer frío is used only to talk about the weather.

  • Hace frío hoy.
    It’s cold today.
  • En invierno hace frío en Buenos Aires.
    In winter, it’s cold in Buenos Aires.

It’s an impersonal expression: there is no subject.

It’s not just grammar.

It’s how you conceptualize experience in Spanish.

That’s exactly what we work on in Aha Spanish.

Did any of these distinctions surprise you?