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helada

eh-LAH-dah/eˈlaða/

“helada” means “frost” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:

frost

Also: freeze
NounfB1
Close up of a single green leaf covered in delicate white ice crystals.

📝 In Action

La helada de anoche arruinó los cultivos de tomate.

B1

Last night's frost ruined the tomato crops.

Se espera una fuerte helada para este fin de semana.

B1

A heavy freeze is expected for this weekend.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • escarcha (white frost)

Antonyms

  • deshielo (thaw)

Common Collocations

  • caer una helada – to have a frost (literally: for a frost to fall)
  • helada negra – black frost (a freeze that kills plants without showing white ice)

ice-cold, frozen

Also: chilled
A glass of water with several ice cubes inside and condensation on the outside.

📝 In Action

Me gusta la cerveza bien helada.

A2

I like my beer very ice-cold.

Tengo la mano helada por la nieve.

A1

My hand is freezing cold because of the snow.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • congelada (frozen)
  • gélida (icy/frigid)

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • quedarse helada – to be stunned or shocked (literally: to stay frozen)

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "helada" in Spanish:

frost→ice-cold→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: helada

Question 1 of 2

How would you say 'the soup is ice-cold' in Spanish?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
helar(to freeze) — Verb
helado(ice cream / frozen) — Noun / Adjective
heladero(ice cream seller) — Noun
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼

Comes from the Spanish verb 'helar' (to freeze), which originates from the Latin word 'gelāre'. It shares the same root as the English word 'gelid' and 'gelatin'.

First recorded: 13th century

Cognates (Related words)

Italian: gelataFrench: gelée

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'helada' the same as 'hielo'?

Not exactly. 'Hielo' is the physical substance of ice. 'Helada' refers to the event of freezing (frost) or is a word used to describe something as being very cold.

Can I use 'helada' to mean ice cream?

No. Even if the ice cream is for a girl, the food item 'ice cream' is always 'el helado' (masculine). 'Helada' only describes things or refers to frost.