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escalofrío

es-kah-loh-FREE-oh/eskaloˈfɾio/

“escalofrío” means “shiver” in Spanish (physical sensation of cold or illness).

shiver

Also: chill, shudder
NounmA2
A child wrapped in a thick blue blanket, their body slightly hunched and shoulders raised to show they are shivering from a chill.

📝 In Action

Tengo escalofríos por la fiebre.

A2

I have the chills because of the fever.

Sentí un escalofrío cuando se abrió la puerta sola.

B1

I felt a shiver when the door opened by itself.

La música era tan hermosa que me dio un escalofrío.

B2

The music was so beautiful that it gave me a shiver.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • estremecimiento (shudder/tremble)
  • temblor (tremor)

Antonyms

  • calor (heat)
  • bochorno (stifling heat)

Common Collocations

  • sentir un escalofrío – to feel a shiver
  • dar escalofríos – to give (someone) the creeps/shivers
  • escalofríos de fiebre – feverish chills

Idioms & Expressions

  • un escalofrío por la espalda – a shiver down the spine

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "escalofrío" in Spanish:

shudder→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: escalofrío

Question 1 of 3

How do you say 'It gives me the shivers' in Spanish?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
escalofriante(chilling/creepy) — Adjective
escalofriar(to cause shivers) — Verb
frío(cold) — Noun
🎵 Rhymes▼
ríodesafíovacío
📚 Etymology▼

Formed by combining the Spanish words 'escaldar' (to scald or heat) and 'frío' (cold), describing the mixture of hot and cold sensations felt during a fever or intense emotion.

First recorded: 15th century

Cognates (Related words)

Portuguese: calafrio

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use 'escalofrío' for a pleasant feeling?

Yes! Just like in English, you can have 'shivers of excitement' or shivers from listening to moving music.

Is 'escalofrío' always about being sick?

No. While common in medicine, it's frequently used for cold weather and emotional reactions like fear or awe.

What's the difference between 'temblor' and 'escalofrío'?

A 'temblor' is a general shake or tremor (like an earthquake or shaky hands), while an 'escalofrío' is specifically that 'cold' skin-crawling shiver.