clima
/KLEE-mah/
climate
Visualizing 'clima' as long-term weather patterns requires showing the variety of Earth's climates, from tropical to arid to polar.
clima(noun)
climate
?long-term weather patterns
weather
?used broadly in conversation, though 'tiempo' is more precise for daily forecasts
📝 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.
💡 Grammar Points
Masculine Noun Exception
Even though 'clima' ends in -a, it is a masculine word and always uses 'el' or 'un'. This is because it comes from Greek.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Incorrect Gender
Mistake: "La clima es cálida."
Correction: El clima es cálido. (Remember to match the adjective to the masculine noun: cálido, not cálida.)
⭐ Usage Tips
Clima vs. Tiempo
'Clima' refers to the general, long-term conditions (like 'Mediterranean climate'). 'Tiempo' refers to the specific daily forecast (like 'The weather today is sunny').
Here, 'clima' means the general mood or feeling, depicted by the warm, friendly atmosphere surrounding the two conversing figures.
clima(noun)
atmosphere
?general mood or feeling
,vibe
?informal feeling of a place
environment
?workplace or social setting
📝 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.
💡 Grammar Points
Figurative Use
Here, 'clima' is used figuratively, meaning the 'feeling' or 'mood' of a situation, similar to how we might say 'political climate' in English.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: clima
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence correctly uses the word 'clima'?
📚 More Resources
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.