clima
“clima” means “climate” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:
climate
Also: weather
📝 In Action
El clima de Costa Rica es tropical y húmedo.
A1The climate of Costa Rica is tropical and humid.
¿Cómo es el clima en invierno en tu ciudad?
A2What is the weather (climate) like in winter in your city?
El cambio climático es una preocupación global.
B1Climate change is a global concern.
atmosphere, vibe
Also: environment
📝 In Action
Hay un clima de tensión en la sala de reuniones.
B1There is an atmosphere of tension in the meeting room.
El nuevo gerente ha mejorado mucho el clima laboral.
B2The new manager has greatly improved the work environment (or 'workplace atmosphere').
El clima político del país está muy dividido.
C1The political mood (or 'climate') of the country is very divided.
Translate to Spanish
✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: clima
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence correctly uses the word 'clima'?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
📚 Etymology▼
The word comes from the Latin *clima*, which itself was borrowed from the Greek word *klíma* (meaning 'slope' or 'region'). This Greek origin is why 'clima' is masculine in Spanish, even though most words ending in -a are feminine.
First recorded: 15th century
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Why do Spanish nouns like 'clima' end in -a but use the masculine article 'el'?
This is a small group of exceptions! These words, including 'clima,' 'problema,' 'tema,' and 'idioma,' came into Spanish from ancient Greek. In Greek, they were masculine, and Spanish kept that gender rule, even though the words look feminine.
Can I use 'clima' when talking about today's weather?
Yes, but it's less common and less specific than using 'tiempo'. For example, you would usually ask '¿Qué tiempo hace hoy?' (What is the weather like today?), not '¿Qué clima hace hoy?' Use 'clima' for long-term patterns or general atmosphere.