The Temperature Is in Spanish | Essential Grammar & Vocabulary

Talking about the weather is a universal conversation starter. Whether you are planning a trip to Madrid, checking the forecast in Mexico City, or just chatting with a language partner, knowing how to describe the heat or cold is a fundamental skill. Spanish handles these descriptions differently than English, using a mix of verbs depending on the context.

You cannot simply translate “it is” directly in every situation. Sometimes the weather “makes” heat, sometimes you “have” cold, and other times the day “is” at a certain degree. This guide breaks down the correct verbs, vocabulary, and sentence structures so you sound natural.

The Three Main Verbs for Temperature

English speakers often struggle here because they want to use the verb “to be” for everything. In Spanish, you must switch between three different auxiliary verbs based on what you are describing. Choosing the wrong one can change the meaning entirely.

1. Hacer (To Make/Do)

This is the most common verb for general weather conditions. In Spanish, you do not say “it is hot.” You say “it makes heat.” The subject is an impersonal “it” (the weather/nature). Use this when describing the general feel of the day.

• Hace calor — It is hot.
• Hace frío — It is cold.
• Hace buen tiempo — The weather is nice.
• Hace fresco — It is cool/chilly.

2. Tener (To Have)

Use this verb when describing how a person feels. This is a common mistake for beginners who say “soy caliente” (which has sexual connotations) instead of “tengo calor.” You strictly use “tener” followed by the noun for heat or cold.

• Tengo calor — I am hot.
• Tienes frío — You are cold.
• Ellos tienen frío — They are cold.

3. Estar (To Be)

Use “estar” to describe the current state of the weather or to state the specific temperature in degrees. This links the subject (the day or the street) to a condition.

• Está frío — It (the day/object) is cold.
• Estamos a 30 grados — We are at 30 degrees.
• El cielo está despejado — The sky is clear.

Asking What The Temperature Is in Spanish

You need to know how to ask for the information before you can discuss it. There are several ways to request a weather report depending on the region and the specific detail you need.

Common questions include:

• ¿Qué temperatura hace? — What is the temperature? (General).
• ¿A cuántos grados estamos? — How many degrees are we at?
• ¿Cuál es la temperatura? — What is the temperature? (Specific measurement).
• ¿Qué tiempo hace hoy? — What is the weather like today?

Quick tip: If you are looking at a thermometer or a weather app, “Cuál es la temperatura” is the most precise way to ask.

Describing Weather Conditions with “Hacer”

The verb “hacer” handles the bulk of weather descriptions. Since Spanish treats weather as something nature produces, the grammar reflects that action. You will hear these phrases constantly in daily conversation.

Standard weather phrases:

• Hace mucho calor — It is very hot. Note that we use “mucho” (much) instead of “muy” (very) because “calor” is a noun.
• Hace mucho viento — It is very windy.
• Hace sol — It is sunny.

You can modify these statements to add emphasis. If it is scorching outside, you might say “hace un calor insoportable” (it makes an unbearable heat). This construction allows for expressive descriptions that go beyond simple adjectives.

Using “Estar” for Conditions and Measurements

While “hacer” describes the action of weather, “estar” describes the state of the environment. This distinction is subtle but audible to native speakers. You use “estar” with adjectives or when citing the specific number on the thermometer.

Describing the State

When you look out the window and describe what you see or feel right now, “estar” is appropriate.

• Está nublado — It is cloudy.
• Está lluvioso — It is rainy.
• Está soleado — It is sunny (State of the sky).
• Está húmedo — It is humid.

Stating the Degrees

When you want to say exactly what the thermometer reads, grammatical structure shifts slightly. You often speak as if “we” are inside the temperature.

• Estamos a veinte grados — It is twenty degrees.
• La temperatura está a diez grados — The temperature is at ten degrees.

The Temperature Is in Spanish – Specific Terminology

When you need to construct a formal sentence, the phrasing changes. Learning how to say The Temperature Is in Spanish formally usually involves the phrase “La temperatura es…” followed by the number. This is what you will hear on news broadcasts or read in scientific reports.

Formal examples:

• La temperatura es de 25 grados — The temperature is 25 degrees.
• La temperatura máxima será de 30 grados — The maximum temperature will be 30 degrees.
• La temperatura mínima es de 5 grados — The minimum temperature is 5 degrees.

You use the preposition “de” before the number when using the noun “temperatura” directly. This is a small detail that polishes your grammar.

Celsius vs. Fahrenheit

Most Spanish-speaking countries use the Celsius scale (Centígrados). The United States is one of the few places using Fahrenheit. If you are traveling to Spain or Latin America, you will need to adjust your mental math.

Quick conversion context:

• 0°C (32°F) — Punto de congelación (Freezing point).
• 10°C (50°F) — Hace fresco (It is cool).
• 20°C (68°F) — Hace buen tiempo (The weather is nice/mild).
• 30°C (86°F) — Hace calor (It is hot).
• 40°C (104°F) — Hace mucho calor (It is very hot).

If you need to clarify which scale you are using, you say “grados centígrados” or “grados Fahrenheit.” In most casual contexts abroad, “grados” implies Celsius automatically.

Body Temperature Vocabulary

Sometimes you aren’t talking about the weather. If you feel sick or need a doctor, describing body temperature uses slightly different logic. You generally “have” a fever or “have” a temperature.

Medical phrases:

• Tener fiebre — To have a fever.
• Tener temperatura — To have a high temperature (colloquial).
• Tomar la temperatura — To take someone’s temperature.
• El termómetro — The thermometer.

Example scenario:
If you are at a clinic, the nurse might say, “Voy a tomarte la temperatura” (I am going to take your temperature). You would reply, “Creo que tengo fiebre” (I think I have a fever).

Seasonal Temperature Phrases

Each season brings specific vocabulary. Connecting the temperature to the time of year helps build context.

Invierno (Winter)

Winter vocabulary focuses on cold, ice, and snow. You will use “hacer frío” most often.

• Hiela — It is freezing (verb: helar).
• Está nevando — It is snowing.
• Bajo cero — Below zero.

Verano (Summer)

Summer focuses on heat, humidity, and sun.

• Hay mucha humedad — There is a lot of humidity.
• El sol quema — The sun burns (is scorching).
• Una ola de calor — A heat wave.

Primavera y Otoño (Spring and Autumn)

These transitional seasons often use milder descriptors.

• Está templado — It is mild/temperate.
• Hay brisa — It is breezy.
• Llueve suavemente — It is raining softly.

Extreme Weather Expressions

Sometimes standard numbers don’t suffice. When the weather is intense, Spanish speakers use colorful idioms and stronger verbs to convey the severity of the situation.

Intense cold:

• Me estoy congelando — I am freezing.
• Hace un frío que pela — It is so cold it peels (your skin).
• Cae aguanieve — Sleet is falling.

Intense heat:

• Me estoy asando — I am roasting.
• Hace un calor infernal — It is infernally hot.
• Sudar como un pollo — To sweat like a chicken (very colloquial idiom for sweating profusely).

Using “Sensación Térmica”

Meteorologists often refer to the “feels like” temperature. This accounts for wind chill in winter or humidity index in summer. You will see this on weather apps or news tickers.

Sensación térmica refers to the thermal sensation. A forecast might read: “20 grados, sensación térmica de 18.” This explains why you might feel colder than the actual number suggests.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Mastering The Temperature Is in Spanish means unlearning direct translation habits. Here are the pitfalls that instantly signal you are a learner.

Watch out for these errors:

• Don’t use “Ser” for weather — Never say “Es calor.” Always use “Hace calor.”
• Don’t use “Estar” for people — “Estoy calor” is incorrect. Use “Tengo calor.”
• Don’t mix “Caliente” and “Calor” — “Caliente” is an adjective usually for objects (soup, coffee). “Calor” is the noun for the atmospheric heat.

Practice Dialogue: Checking the Forecast

Seeing these phrases in action helps cement the grammar. Here is a typical conversation between two friends deciding what to wear.

Marta: ¿Qué tiempo hace hoy? (What is the weather like today?)
Luis: Pues, hace sol pero hace mucho viento. (Well, it is sunny but very windy.)
Marta: ¿A cuántos grados estamos? (How many degrees are we at?)
Luis: Estamos a 15 grados, pero la sensación térmica es más baja. (We are at 15 degrees, but the “feels like” is lower.)
Marta: Entonces me llevo el abrigo. No quiero tener frío. (Then I’ll take my coat. I don’t want to be cold.)

Notice how they switch between “hacer” for the general description, “estar” for the specific degree, and “tener” for their personal comfort. This flow is natural and grammatically sound.

Key Takeaways: The Temperature Is in Spanish

➤ Use “hacer” + noun for general weather (Hace calor).

➤ Use “tener” + noun for personal feelings (Tengo frío).

➤ Use “estar” to state specific degrees (Estamos a 20°).

➤ Most Spanish regions use Celsius, not Fahrenheit.

➤ Avoid saying “soy caliente” to mean “I am hot.”

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I say “It is freezing” in Spanish?

You can say “Está helando” to describe the weather action or “Hace un frío que pela” for a more idiomatic expression of intense cold. If describing yourself, say “Me estoy congelando.”

Can I use “Es” for temperature?

Rarely. You use “Es” mostly in formal definitions like “La temperatura es alta” (The temperature is high). For daily weather reports, “Hace” or “Está” are the standard verbs.

What is the difference between “Tiempo” and “Hora”?

“Tiempo” refers to weather or duration of time. “Hora” refers strictly to the clock time. Always ask “¿Qué tiempo hace?” for weather, never “¿Qué hora hace?”

How do I write degrees in Spanish?

You use the symbol (°) followed by C or F. In speech, you say “grados.” For negative temperatures, use “bajo cero” (e.g., 5 grados bajo cero) rather than saying “minus five.”

Is “Caliente” used for weather?

No. “Caliente” describes objects like food or liquids (café caliente). Using it for weather sounds unnatural. Always stick to the noun “calor” combined with the verb “hacer.”

Wrapping It Up – The Temperature Is in Spanish

Learning to discuss the weather opens doors to daily interaction in any Spanish-speaking country. While the grammar rules regarding “hacer,” “tener,” and “estar” might seem complex at first, they follow a consistent logic. “Hacer” describes what the nature does, “tener” describes what you experience, and “estar” describes the state of the day.

Practice these phrases next time you check your weather app. Try to mentally translate the forecast into Spanish using the correct verbs. With a little repetition, asking about the temperature will feel second nature.